Download PDFHouse: House of Representatives Portfolio: Employment, Education and Training Purpose To increase the amount of contribution in 1992 for students covered by the overseas student charge scheme.
Background Overseas students who commenced study before 1 January 1990 are required to contribute towards the cost of their education by the Overseas Student Charge Act 1979 (the Principal Act). The percentage of the total cost of the course that must be contributed depends on the time when the students commenced their course. If they commenced a tertiary course before 1 January 1986 (or 1 January 1987 for TAFE courses), they are required to contribute 32% of the total cost. If the course was commenced between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 1987 ( 1 January 1987 and 31 December 1987 for TAFE courses) they are required to contribute 45% of the total cost. For courses commenced after 31 December 1987, the contribution rate is 55%. However, the Principal Act does not express the liability in terms of a percentage of cost, but as a dollar amount. As a result, there is a need to increase the contribution amounts contained in the Principal Act as costs increase. This is done through a yearly amendment Bill, similar to this Bill. There are two types of courses for the purpose of the charge, the higher cost courses of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry, and other courses. The contribution for the former is higher than for the latter.
It was announced in the 1989- 90 Budget that the scheme would be replaced by a full fee paying program, with the students currently subject to the charge continuing under the overseas student charge scheme. As a result, the number of people covered by the scheme will continue to decline until those who are subject to the scheme complete their studies.
Main Provisions Clause 3, which will amend section 6 of the Principal Act, contains the new charges. For courses of medicine, veterinary science and dentistry (Class A courses) commenced before 1 January 1986, the cost will be $5 541 per annum. For other courses commenced before that date, the cost will be $4 748 per annum.
For courses commenced between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 1987, the cost for Class A courses will be $7 528 per annum and $6 688 per annum for other courses.
For courses commenced after 1 January 1988, the cost will be $9 022 per annum for Class A courses and $8 182 per annum for other courses and for enrolment as a non- degree higher education student.
Costs for TAFE courses will be $712 per annum for courses commenced before 1 January 1987; $1 001 per annum for commencements between 1 January and 31 December 1987; and $1 223 per annum for commencements after that date.
A fee of $414 per annum will apply for secondary education courses commenced after 1 January 1991.
Bills Digest Service 9 September 1991 Parliamentary Research Service
For further information, if required, contact the Education and Welfare Group on 06 2772410.
This Digest does not have any official legal status. Other sources should be consulted to determine the subsequent official status of the Bill.
Commonwealth of Australia 1991.
Except to the extent of the uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written consent of the Parliamentary Library, other than by Members of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official duties.
Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library, 1991.