Mr Bevis asked the Minister for Defence Industry, Science and Personnel, upon notice, on 2 March 1998:

(1) Can Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) cadets receive credits for their studies at ADFA when they leave the ADF and transfer to another tertiary institution; if so, under what circumstances.

(2) Is she able to say whether some Australian tertiary institutions do not recognise ADFA's undergraduate subjects; if so, (a) which institutions and (b) why are the subjects not recognised.

(3) Does the Department of Defence provide assistance to cadets who resign from ADFA and wish to complete their tertiary studies at another Australian tertiary institution; if so, what assistance.

Mrs Bishop (Defence Industry, Science and Personnel) —The honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Cadets leaving ADFA, having partially completed a degree, may apply for admission to another (civilian) tertiary institution. It is the prerogative of the admitting institution to determine the amount of credit to be granted.

(2) The University College at ADFA is not aware of any institution refusing credit for mainstream subjects in equivalent degree courses. If a cadet was seeking entry to a different course, for example, architecture, after taking arts subjects at the University College, some of the subjects completed at ADFA may not be credited as they would not be relevant to the new degree. The University of New South Wales has a policy of requiring all students to complete general education subjects in their degree, amounting to the equivalent of one first year subject. These are subjects outside the discipline of the degree, for example, humanities subjects in an engineering degree. In some circumstances other tertiary institutions may decide not to grant credit for general education subjects.

(3) Cadets who resign from ADFA but remain in the ADF may be provided with education assistance under one of the ADF Education Assistance Schemes, to complete tertiary studies at tertiary institutions around Australia, dependent on Service requirements and degree programs. Cadets who resign from the ADF do not receive any further education assistance to complete tertiary studies.