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The Federal Government has initiated a consultation process for the development of Guidelines for Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy, and for the administration of the Student Services and Amenities Fee proposed as part of the Student Services and Amenities Bill recently introduced in the Federal Parliament.

“The draft guidelines seem to take into account the aim of sustaining quality student services and representation in our universities, which is something I think we all want to see,” CAPA President, Nigel Palmer said.

Minister for Youth and Sport Kate Ellis presented the details of the Federal Government’s proposed “VSU Response” to the Federal Parliament today. If passed, the Student Services and Amenities Bill will enable universities to charge students a compulsory fee as of July 1 2009. Students will have the option of deferring the fee to a HECS-style loan scheme (to be called “SA-HELP”), with the amount institutions can charge capped at $125 for semester two this year and $250 per year (indexed) from 2010.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) cautiously welcomed the announcement today from Minister for Youth and Sport, Kate Ellis, of measures to address the impact of the former Federal Government’s “VSU” legislation.

Compulsory fee reintroduced

On measures announced today, universities would be able to charge students a compulsory fee of up to $250 per year as early as July 1 2009. Students would have the option of deferring the fee to a HECS-style loan scheme.

The stage is set for a series of important reforms in higher education, with a range of reports due between now and the end of the year.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) has published a summary of important developments for postgraduate students in an Issues Paper released today.