House of Representatives Committees

| House of Representatives Education and Employment

Preliminary Pages

Membership of the Committee

Chair	Ms Amanda Rishworth MP
Deputy Chair	Mr Rowan Ramsey MP
Members	Mrs Karen Andrews MP	Mr Mike Symon MP
	Mrs Yvette D’Ath MP	Mr Alan Tudge MP
	Ms Deborah O’Neill MP

Committee Secretariat

Secretary	Dr Glenn Worthington
Research Officer	Dr Becky Walker
Office Manager	Mr Daniel Miletic
Administrative Officer	Ms Tarran Snape

Terms of reference

On 21 October 2010, the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010 was referred to the Committee. For a copy of the Explanatory Memorandum and Bill see Appendix B.

List of abbreviations

ACUMA	Australian Campus Union Managers Association
ATN	Australian Technology Network of Universities
ANU	Australian National University
AUS	Australian University Sport
CAPA	Council of Postgraduates Australia
DEEWR	Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
FEE-HELP	Higher Education Loan for Tuition Fees
HECS-HELP	Higher Education Loan for Student Contribution
HEP	Higher Education Provider
NTEU	National Tertiary Education Union
SA-HELP	Higher Education Loan for Student Amenities
SCU	Southern Cross University

List of recommendations

The Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010

Recommendation 1

The Committee reiterates the finding of the 2009 Senate Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Inquiry into Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities and Other Measures) Bill 2009 and recommends that the Minister encourages that charges to international students be itemised, so that the potential for duplication of charges to international students be minimised.

Recommendation 2

That the Minister release the Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines as soon as possible to assist universities to prepare for the implementation of the legislation, should it be passed.

Recommendation 3

That the Minister consider incorporating the loan into the existing FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP loan scheme, rather than as a separate SA-HELP.

Recommendation 4

That the Minister consider allowing higher education institutions a period of grace in implementing compliance measures outlined under the proposed Student Services, Representation and Amenities Guidelines to allow time to consult with their students or to establish new services or procedures.

Recommendation 5

That the Minister consider allowing higher education institutions to use a portion of the revenue collected from fees to support the start-up costs of administrative and information technology services to administer the new program.

Recommendation 6

That the House of Representatives pass the Higher Education Amendment Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2010.

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