Please note: For technical reasons the unit /subject descriptions in this Handbook are no longer available. Please consult the hard-copy version of the 2002 Handbook available either at Student Administration or in the University Library.
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The information that follows is correct at the time of going to press. There may be amendments that will apply at the time of enrolment.
The Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) was introduced by an Act of Parliament, the Higher Education Funding Act, in 1988.
The Act requires students to contribute towards the cost of their higher education.
The non-differential HECS annual fee for continuing full-time students in 2003 will be $2764. From January 1997, the Federal Government introduced a new regime of 'differential' HECS rates for students commencing a new course of study. The current differential HECS rates for full-time students in 2003 will be $3680, $5242, and $6136. Additional information in relation to differential HECS may be obtained from the HECS & Fees Office, telephone (02) 6201 2616/5366.
A student's HECS liability is calculated according to their semester load (number of credit points) in the semester.
All students who are commencing a course on a HECS liable basis are required to submit a HECS Payment Options Declarations form to the University by the end of Week 1 of their first semester of enrolment
In completing the HECS Payment Options Declarations form, students are required to choose either the HECS Up-front Payment Option, the Deferred Payment Option or the Partial Up-Front option. Details are as follows:
If a student chooses the Up-front Option they are entitled to a discount of 25 per cent on the liability for the semester. The payment is due by the end of the first week of each semester. A late penalty charge may be imposed if payment is made after the stipulated dates.
If a student chooses the Deferred Payment Option, they must supply the University with a Tax File Number (TFN). Under this option, a student is required to commence HECS repayments via the taxation system after they reach the minimum taxable income, stipulated by the Federal Government, for the repayment of HECS.
Students who choose this option must:
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the HECS PELS and Fees Office on (02) 6201 2616 or (02) 6201 5366.
Once a HECS Payment Options Declaration form has been submitted a student is not required to submit another form unless they wish to change the current payment option or change course.
As required by the Higher Education Funding Act 1988, any student wishing to change their HECS Payment Options must submit a new HECS Payment Options Declaration form when stipulated by the University and no later than HECS Census date of 31 March for Semester 1 and 31 August for Semester 2. Changes will not be possible, under any circumstances, after the HECS census date.
A HECS Liability Statement is sent to all students within 30 days of the HECS census date. If the student considers that the information on the statement is incorrect, they should submit a written appeal to the Director, Student Administration clearly stating the reason why the record is incorrect. Appeals must reach the University within 14 days of issue of the original notice.
Students who withdraw from a course/subject(s) after the HECS census date may be able to apply for a HECS refund. Consideration may be given to cases where there are special or exceptional circumstances. In such cases, in order to apply for a refund, students must obtain an application form from Student Administration or from http://www.canberra.edu.au/stuadmin/hecs.html. The application together with supporting documentation must be lodged with the University by the dates stipulated by the University.
Students who withdraw from a course/subject(s) before the HECS census date are entitled to a full refund of their Up-front HECS payment. Students must request a refund of their HECS Up-front payment in writing. If no request is received, the funds will be credited to a subsequent semester.
Information about HECS refunds and applicable dates for refunds may be obtained from the HECS, PELS and Fees Office on (02) 6201 2616 or (02) 6201 5366.
Students who defer their HECS payment and who withdraw from a course/subject(s) after the HECS census date must apply for remission of their HECS debt with the Department of Education, Science Training (DEST). Students who withdraw from a course/subject(s) prior to the HECS Census date do not incur HECS liability.
Application forms and additional information may be obtained by contacting the HECS, PELS and Fees Office on (02) 6201 2616 or (02) 6201 5366.
In September 2001, the Federal Government passed the “Innovation and Education Legislation Amendment Bill No 2/2001”. This bill, known as the Postgraduate Education Loans Scheme (PELS) provides a Commonwealth Government Loan to students wishing to undertake full-fee paying, postgraduate, non-research award studies. The Scheme operates on a similar basis to HECS but does not allow for discounts based on up-front payments.
Students wishing to take advantage of PELS should contact the University of Canberra HECS, PELS and Fees Office on (02) 6201 2616 or via email at: fees@canberra.edu.au
While at the University, all students pay an annual Amenities and Services Fee (ASF) as determined by Council. This fee must be paid by the end of Week 1 of Semester 1. If the ASF is not paid by the due date, a late fee of $60 will apply. The Amenities and Services Fee for 2002 was $270.00 (GST inclusive).
If a student defers their studies prior to the start of semester and/or prior to the Census Date, they may be eligible for a refund of the ASF. The amount will be automatically credited to the student’s next semester fees. However, the amount can be refunded at the student’s request. Application forms and further information can be obtained from the Student Administration Enquiries Desk, or from http://www.canberra.edu.au/stuadmin/hecs.html. Students who withdraw after the start of semester and/or after the HECS census date may apply for a refund under special circumstances. If the refund is approved a late withdrawal charge of $60 will apply.
Each application will be examined and determined on its own merits. As a general guide, the special circumstances should:
Medical reasons – where a medical condition exists or has changed to such an extent that you are unable to continue your study.
Family/personal reasons – such as death or severe medical problems within the family, or unforeseen family financial difficulties, and it is unreasonable to expect you to continue your course of study.
Employment-related reasons – where your employment status or employment arrangements have changed so that you are unable to continue your study.
Course-related reasons – where the University has changed the subject or course it had offered and you are disadvantaged by either not being able to complete the subject or course, or not being given credit towards other subjects.
Please note: Special circumstances will generally not include:
Documentation is required with each application.
For further information please contact the HECS PELS & Fees Office in Student Administration or telephone (02) 6201 2616/5366.
Sponsored students (for example those on teaching or similar scholarships) are required to submit each semester documentary evidence, that is, confirmation of their sponsorship by their sponsor, to Student Administration, Building 1. The Austudy Scheme is not considered to be a sponsorship in respect of fees.
Students should note that they may be expected to contribute to the costs associated with undertaking field classes or to pay travel costs associated with professional experience or internship placements. They may also need to purchase specified items of equipment and/or materials for subjects that they may be required or elect to undertake as part of their course. Refer to Division entries under “Field Classes”, “Professional Experience”, “Laboratory Equipment” and “Materials” for further information.
Details of costs for fee paying courses for Australian students are available from the HECS & Fees Office at Student Administration or from http://www.canberra.edu.au/stuadmin/hecs.html
For information on bursaries and scholarships, refer to The University section of this Handbook. For information on financial assistance for needy students please refer to Personal Support Services in The University section of this Handbook.
Centrelink helps with financial assistance for people who are studying. Students may be entitled to financial assistance under Youth Allowance, Austudy payment, ABSTUDY, Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) and the Student Financial Supplement Scheme, some of which attract ancillary payments e.g.: Fares Allowance and Rent Assistance.
Youth Allowance is a Department of Family and Community Services payment for students aged 16-24, jobseekers from 16-20 and some students who are 25 years and over (if they were receiving Youth Allowance immediately before turning 25 and are still doing the same course)
To be eligible, students need to satisfy the activity test by undertaking approved activities*. For the purposes of Youth Allowance eligibility, approved activities include: full time study (an approved course at an approved institution) or training, full-time job seeking (excludes under 18s) or voluntary work, or a combination of activities.
For an explanation of ‘full time study’, please refer to the Austudy payment section**.
How much help students can get from Youth Allowance depends on:
For claim forms and further information on Youth Allowance please contact any Centrelink office or call 13 2490. You can also get an information book ‘Youth Allowance... The Guide’ from Centrelink or visit the Centrelink web site at http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Austudy payment is a Department of Family and Community Services payment for students aged 25 years and older whose financial circumstances are such that, without financial help, full-time study may not be possible.
To be eligible for Austudy payment a person must be doing an approved full time course at an approved institution*.
*Full time study means an approved course which:
This also applies if a person is studying by
correspondence.
A concessional study load means that in certain
circumstances an individual may be able to undertake less than a full time study
load (either two thirds (66.6 per cent) or 25 per cent of the normal full time
study load).
How much help students can get depends on:
For claim forms and further information on Austudy payment please contact any Centrelink office or call 13 2490. You can also get an information book ‘Austudy payment’ or visit the Centrelink web site at http://www.centrelink.gov.au
*New students intending to apply should note that evidence of identity and enrolment must be provided at the time of lodging their application. To maintain eligibility students must notify Centrelink of any changes to their circumstances, including changes in enrolment, personal income, parental income (dependent students), or change in address.
ABSTUDY is a Department of Education, Science and Training payment for Indigenous secondary and tertiary students who want to stay at school or go on to further studies. There is also some assistance available for primary students aged 14 or over at 1 January of the year of study.
How much help students can get from ABSTUDY can depend on:
There are changes to ABSTUDY from 1 January 2000. These include:
Apart from living allowance (basic payment), there are a range of allowances also available to eligible ABSTUDY students to help meet the costs associated with education expenses, board, and travel between their home and place of study. Students receiving certain payments from Centrelink or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs may be eligible for the ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement (ABSTUDY PES), instead of ABSTUDY living allowance (basic payment), but they can also receive the additional allowances mentioned above. For further information on ABSTUDY PES, please refer to the PES section.
For claim forms and further information on ABSTUDY please contact any Centrelink office, or call 13 2317. You can also get the information books ‘ABSTUDY...The Guide’ and the ‘ABSTUDY Handbook’ from Centrelink or visit the Centrelink web site on http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) is a Department of Family and Community Services payment providing help with the ongoing costs of study for recipients of the following payments from Centrelink and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs:
Students on a Disability Support Pension (DSP), Invalidity Service Pension (ISP), Carer Payment, Carer Service Pension, Widow B Pension, Widow Allowance; or Wife Pension - if the partner receives DSP or Partner Service Pension - if the partner receives an ISP.
PES is a non-taxable payment of $60 per fortnight***.
PES recipients, undertaking tertiary study and living away from a partner/child to study, may be entitled to Fares Allowance. ABSTUDY PES recipients undertaking secondary or tertiary study may also be entitled to Fares Allowance in certain circumstances.
PES recipients can also receive an Education Entry Payment of $200 once a year. (ABSTUDY PES recipients receive an incidentals allowance instead.)
To get PES, students must be enrolled in and undertaking an approved course of secondary or tertiary study. Sole parents, carers and students with a disability must be undertaking at least 25%**of the normal full-time workload for their course to be eligible for PES. Other eligible students must be studying full-time, or at least 75% of the full-time study load.
**Please check with Centrelink about possible changes from 1 March 2000, which could halve the rate of PES and ABSTUDY PES to $30 a fortnight for students with a study load of less than 50%. (This change depends on legislation being passed by Parliament.) Disability Support Pensioners, Invalidity Service Pensioners, or War Widow/er Pensioners receiving an income support supplement (incapacity for work), will be exempt from this change.
For claim forms and further information on PES and ABSTUDY PES please contact any Centrelink office, or call 13 2490 (PES) or 13 2317 (ABSTUDY PES). You can also get the PES Brochure from Centrelink or visit the Centrelink web site on http://www.centrelink.gov.au
The Student Financial Supplement is a voluntary loan that gives
tertiary
students on Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education
Supplement the option of borrowing money to help cover their expenses while
studying. Students normally have to trade-in (or “give up”)
part or all of their payment for double that amount as a Financial Supplement
loan. The loan is interest free, but the balance is adjusted annually to take
account of changes in the cost of living. Repayments are not required until 1
June in
the fifth year following the year in which the student takes out the
loan.
For more information about the Student Financial Supplement Loan
contact any
Centrelink office or call Centrelink on 13 2490 for Youth
Allowance/ Austudy/ PES or 13 2317 for ABSTUDY. You can also get an
information book on the Student Financial Supplement Loan or visit the
Centrelink web site at http://www.centrelink.gov.au
Family Allowance is a fortnightly payment to help with the cost of raising children. Family Allowance is income and assets tested and the limits are generous so most families will currently get at least the minimum rate of $23.70 a fortnight for each child.
Before 1 October 1999, Family Allowance was paid for dependent children aged under 16 and for dependent full-time secondary students aged 16 to 18 years.
From 1 October 1999, Family Allowance was made available to eligible families with older dependants who are not receiving Youth Allowance or another education allowance and are:
A new flat rate of $50 a fortnight Family Allowance may be paid for each dependent young person aged 18 to 24 years. The flat rate for 16 to 17 year old dependants continues to be $23.70 a fortnight.
Families with older dependants may now qualify for Family Allowance even if their income, or the age of their children meant they weren't eligible before.
Example - The Smith family
The Smiths have a combined assessable income of $69,000 a year. They have a 15 year old secondary student living at home and an 18 year old and 20 year old both living away from home and studying full-time at university.
The young people would not qualify for Youth Allowance because any payment would cut out when the family income reached $59,962. Previously the family would not have qualified for Family Allowance because payment was restricted to young people under 18 years of age and the family income was over the maximum amount.
Because the two older children can now be taken into account, the Smiths may be entitled to $23.70 a fortnight for the 15 year old and $50 a fortnight for each of the 18 and 20 year olds.
What if you are already getting
Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY?
In some cases, the amount of Family Allowance
a family can receive for a 16 to 24 year old dependant may be higher than the
amount the young person would be eligible to receive from Youth Allowance or
ABSTUDY.
You and your family may choose to apply for either Family Allowance or Youth Allowance. To work out which payment would be better in your circumstances, families should compare the young person's payment and any additional assistance the young person gets, with the amount of Family Allowance the family may be eligible for. For example, you will need to consider rent assistance and any other assistance that may be available under each payment.
The figures quoted relate to 1999 and may alter from 1 January 2000.
If you are already receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY and you decide your family will be better off on Family Allowance, you should contact Centrelink promptly. As Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY are usually paid directly to the young person, they must be cancelled by the young person receiving the payment before the family can receive Family Allowance.
Family Allowance can only be paid from the day after Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY stops.
For more information about Family Allowance contact any Centrelink
Office on 13 1305. You can also get a copy of the information booklet called
‘Family Allowance for 16 to 24 year olds - A better deal for families with
older dependents’ from Centrelink or visit the Centrelink Web site on
http://www.centrelink.gov.au.
Latest update: 18/03/03