Australia’s government has legislated a tranche of Universities Accord recommendations, securing passage of a bill to introduce paid practicums, boost the number of free enabling courses and change the indexation of student debt.
The bill also requires institutions to allocate student-led organisations at least 40 per cent of the money raised through a compulsory student services fee. And it overcomes one of the last remaining obstacles to the amalgamation of the universities of Adelaide and South Australia by authorising the government to fund the soon-to-be merged Adelaide University.
The bill’s passage represents a victory for the government after its plan to cap international enrolments next year was thwarted by the opposition.
The government has in effect given up on that proposal, putting it near the end of a wish list of 29 bills still requiring Senate approval. The last parliamentary sitting of the year ends on 29 November.
Universities Australia (UA) said the approval of the accord legislation was “a big win” for students and graduates. It “will make a positive difference at a time when many Australians are struggling with the high cost of living”, said chief executive Luke Sheehy.
The bill will excise some A$3 billion (£1.5 billion) from student debt because the change to the indexation formula was backdated to before last year’s near record 7.1 per cent hike. Instead, a 3.2 per cent mark-up will retrospectively be applied. Education minister Jason Clare said the Australian Taxation Office would return the difference to graduates “as soon as possible”.
While the measures had widespread support in the sector, universities objected to being given the job of administering the payments for practicums. UA said it would “work with the government to overcome any administrative burdens”.
The legislation was passed unchanged, with more than 10 amendments voted down. They included a Greens motion to erase all student debt, eliminate tuition fees for public tertiary institutions and increase the stipend for student practicums to minimum wage level.
The Senate also rejected a Greens amendment fast-tracking the government’s election promise to wipe 20 per cent of student debt.
