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Waiver of indexation and reduction of HELP debt for doctors and nurses in rural, remote or very remote areas
Eligible medical and nurse practitioners who work for a required amount of time in rural, remote or very remote Australia, will be able to have their outstanding HELP debt partially or completely reduced. Eligible doctors and nurses will also be able to have indexation of their HELP debts waived for the period they are residing in an eligible location.
Subject to the passage of legislation, eligibility for this initiative commenced on 1 January 2022.
Medical practitioners will be eligible if they have a recognised medical degree, have an outstanding HELP debt for all or part of that qualification, and have successfully completed their internship and received registration as a medical practitioner from the appropriate authority/authorities to practice.
Nurse practitioners will be eligible if they graduate from a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) approved program of study leading to endorsement as a nurse practitioner, at a Master’s Degree level at a minimum and have received endorsement as a nurse practitioner by the NMBA.
Full debt reduction will be processed once an eligible individual has resided in and provided services (i.e. eligible work) in a rural, remote or very remote location – as classified under the Modified Monash Model – for the required amount of time. This is either half the length of the degree/program of study for MM 6-7 or the full length of the degree/program of study for MM 3-5.
Reduction of 50 per cent of an eligible individual’s HELP debt will be available once half the required amount of time is completed.
Information about the HELP for Rural Doctors and Nurse Practitioners initiative is available on the Department of Health’s website.
Extension of the FEE-HELP loan fee exemption
Subject to the passage of legislation, the FEE-HELP loan fee exemption is being extended for a further 12 months, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. The exemption was previously in place between 1 April 2020 and 31 December 2021.
The extension of the exemption is reliant on the passage of legislation and therefore until legislation is passed administrative arrangements remain the same. The legislation before the Parliament is designed to act retrospectively, as has been the case with the loan fee in the past.
March 2022 Variations of FEE-HELP Advance Payments
Approved providers will have the opportunity to vary their 2022 FEE-HELP Advance Payment in March 2022. The Department will notify providers of this opportunity via email in the first week of March.
To assist in the assessment of FEE-HELP variations, providers should report accurate and timely student enrolment data to the Department through the Tertiary Collection of Student Information (TCSI) system. Student enrolment data reported in TCSI is used to confirm FEE-HELP variation increases. Variation increases not supported by TCSI data are unlikely to be approved.
If your organisation is still transitioning to TCSI and unable to submit enrolment data to TCSI prior to 31 March, please email FEE-HELP@dese.gov.au prior to submitting your variation request to make further arrangements.
Unverified USIs
Some providers have enquired about what to do with students who have not provided a valid USI, or where their provided USI will not verify. Where a student included their USI but it cannot be verified in TCSI, providers should continue working with the student and the USI Registry System to get the USI to verify, and providers should continue to collect and report USIs for those students as soon as possible.
If a student has provided a USI and it does not verify because it is has been cancelled, the provider can advise the student that without a verified USI they are unable to be found eligible for Commonwealth assistance and enrolment will be cancelled. The student has 6 weeks after the census date to provide the correct information or have their enrolment cancelled.
If a student has a USI that is not verified but can provide proof that the USI is their USI, then some leniency can be allowed while attempting to verify with the USIO. Providers are encouraged to seek evidence of a student’s USI and the names associated with the creation of said USI in order to determine a student’s eligibility for Commonwealth assistance. Students that are unable to provide evidence of their USI could be determined by a provider to be ineligible for Commonwealth assistance and have their enrolment cancelled.
Unverified USIs will continue to attempt to verify. Currently, unverified USIs do not prevent loans from being transmitted to the ATO, but expect that to change later this year.
If a USI fails TCSI verification the provider will be issued an alert. The alert will request that the failed USI be corrected within two weeks, however we understand and appreciate the impacts and stress on provider resources, and therefore we request that unverified USIs are corrected in a timely manner, reflective of your institution’s bandwidth.
There is a 42 day window/ six-week period for providers to correct incorrect information in the USI field. If the USI has not verified after 42 days, the provider should update the student’s details to re-trigger the verification process.
The USI Office can assist in troubleshooting common reasons why students’ USIs are not verifying.
Commonwealth Assistance Forms
A reminder to all providers that under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA), a request for Commonwealth assistance must be in a form approved by the Minister for Education or Delegate.
Since 1 January 2021, the department has not provided hard-copy CAFs. It has come to the attention of the department that higher education providers have been providing students with 2020 paper CAFs during 2021-22 to access Commonwealth assistance. As this is not the approved form, those students may not be eligible for CSPs or HELP. This is critical, as students must submit a request for Commonwealth assistance that is in the form approved for the relevant year by the Minister or Delegate under HESA.
2022 Government eCAF changes coming in March
As advised in the 2022 HELP publication email of 18 November 2021 and detailed in the eCAF developers group email on 30 November 2021, there will be changes made to the 2022 Government eCAF in March 2022.
Towards the end of March, the following ‘optional’ changes that were part of the overall 2022 changes will become ‘mandatory’
- USI field in the OS-HELP eCAF
- Full eligibility section in the OS-HELP eCAF
Further to this, the residency requirement for a New Zealand citizen in the CSP and/or HECS-HELP eCAF will be updated to be in-line with legislation, which is “will the student be studying all of their unit(s) of study in Australia”. This change will be mandatory.
All providers who do not use the Government eCAF are now aware that, as a minimum, they must replicate the Government eCAF in their own provider eCAF. This includes implementing the above changes in provider eCAFs by the end of March 2022.
Providers will be advised once the department’s IT area have projected a release date for the changes. This will not be before 27 March 2022.
If providers have any questions regarding the above eCAF changes, they can email HEenquiries@dese.gov.au.
HELP Handbook
Last year providers advised the department that they found the HELP Handbook to be a useful product. However, there is significant repetition to sections and content that is already in the HELP booklets or can be found on the Study Assist website.
The team is commencing work to identify the benefits of the Handbook in particular the valuable sections of content that are important to retain. Subsequently, the department will determine where the content could be placed into other products, such as the Booklets, on Study Assist or in the AIP.
This means the department does not intend to publish the HELP Handbook in 2022 – but the benefits will not be lost. If anyone has feedback about the Handbook, or the sections they think are the most useful (or have been the most useful in the past), then please feel free to contact HEenquiries@dese.gov.au to assist us in the early stages of the review.
Promoting departmental programs on provider websites
Students tell the department that the best way to communicate important information to them is via their education provider’s websites and student portals.
The department is seeking assistance to promote information about the new SLE provisions as well as the RRES and TAP programs. For convenience, the department will provide web tiles and links to the information which is housed on Study Assist.
Many of you agreed to assisting the department at the recent HELP Communications working group, however, if you haven’t already told us that you are interested, please let us know at HEenquiries@dese.gov.au.
Once finalised, the products will be sent directly to those who showed interest, ready to be placed on your website, portals, newsletters, or other products you have.
Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program reporting
Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) reporting is being considered in light of the Student Equity in Higher Education Evaluation Framework, delivered by the University of Queensland in 2021.
The Department will shortly engage with the sector on future HEPPP reporting requirements, including the format and timing of the 2021 HEPPP Report. In the meantime, universities do not need to take any action in relation to HEPPP reporting. More information on consultation opportunities will be available shortly.
Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program
Applications are now open for Phase 1 of the Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program. This $7.1 million program will support multi-year collaborative outreach projects that enable the higher education aspirations of students in regional and remote Australia.
Through this Program, Table A universities, Regional University Centres (RUCs), other higher education providers including Table B universities and non-university higher education providers, vocational education and training providers, schools and community groups will collaborate on tailored approaches that support the best possible outcomes for students.
Under Phase 1, funding of up to $1 million will be provided to successful consortia, led by Table A universities and RUCs, to establish cross sector partnerships and co-design a comprehensive project bid with interested regional communities.
From mid-2022, Phase 2 will provide up to $6.1 million for successful consortia to then deliver innovative, evidence based, and community supported multi-year outreach initiatives in regional and remote Australia.
Applications for Phase 1 opened on 15 February and will close on 14 March 2022. Interested consortia should register their intent to apply by 22 February 2022 using the link available on the Department’s website at Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program.
Short Course Funding Rollover
On 7 December 2021, the Government announced that providers would be supported to continue short courses in 2022 using unspent 2021 funding allocations. In January 2022, providers were invited to apply for new short courses to be added to their approved course lists in their Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding agreement. In order to be successful, providers were required to provide evidence regarding how their proposed new courses respond to industry needs, provide the job-ready skills of the future, and maximise benefits for Australian industry, communities and students.
Applications to add new short courses are now closed. Approved courses will be reflected in updated funding agreements.
Professional Pathways
The department has published a list of all currently approved professional pathway courses on its website:
If you require this page to be updated (such as a course no longer exists, or you would like a new course to be approved) please contact CGS@dese.gov.au.
Student Learning Entitlement update
The Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) came into effect on 1 January 2022 and provides students with 7 years of full-time study (EFTSL) in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP), with provisions to accrue additional subsidised study.
On 19 January 2022, the Department held a workshop with stakeholders across various higher education providers regarding the development of an IT solution to incorporate the legislative requirements of the SLE. The completion of this solution is expected in 2022.
Further work is underway to develop digital products for providers to place on student portals (See article above ‘Promoting departmental programs on provider websites’). This work aims to assist the department in communicating to students how the SLE will operate and how students are likely to interact with it as they undertake their studies.
Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships Program
The Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships (RRES) program is intended to improve access to, and completion of, tertiary education for regional and remote students across Australia. Scholarships are valued at up to $18,000 for eligible students to undertake studies from Cert IV to PhD with an additional $500 available to support an internship.
The scholarships support flexible study arrangements. Students can be studying on campus or online (via distance education) from six months full-time up to eight years part-time.
Round 6 of the program opened on 31 January 2022, with over 1,000 scholarships available for students commencing study anytime in 2022. Scholarships will continue to be awarded until fully allocated.
Providers should promote this great opportunity to regional and remote students. Information and applications for the scholarships are through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
The application process includes special considerations for students, including:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
- those from remote or very remote areas, or areas of high unemployment
- women studying in fields with low female representation
- people with disability
- those affected by natural disasters (such as drought, flood, or bushfire).
Students in these situations are encouraged to contact QTAC directly to discuss their circumstances and eligibility on 1800 290 979 or at scholarships@qtac.edu.au.
Student RRES factsheet is available.
Tertiary Access Payment
The Tertiary Access Payment (TAP) helps students from regional or remote areas who need to move for further study (Cert IV or above) in the year after finishing Year 12 (or equivalent).
The payment can go towards costs including bond for accommodation, assistance with rent and other household bills, groceries, textbooks, and other study supplies.
Eligible students from inner regional areas can get $3,000 and students from outer regional, remote or very remote areas can get up to $5,000.
Students relocating to study can apply for the payment through Services Australia. The TAP opened for applications on 1 January 2022 and close 31 December 2022.
Eligibility criteria and details on the payment can be found at: Tertiary Access Payment and Services Australia.
Higher Education Microcredentials Pilot
The Australian Government has announced a pilot program offering Commonwealth support to develop and deliver microcredentials in the higher education sector.
Under the pilot, universities will be able to apply for a share of $2 million in funding to develop microcredentials in partnership with industry. Microcredentials must be between 3 and 6 months long (0.25 and 0.5 Equivalent Full Time Student Load) and in an area of national priority.
The pilot will also offer $10 million to support delivery of the microcredentials between 2022 and 2025. Students participating in the program will be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to cover their up-front fees.
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment will undertake competitive funding rounds for development and delivery of microcredentials in the first half of 2022, to support commencement of course delivery in the second half of the year.
A fact sheet has been published on the department’s website and more information will be provided to the sector in the coming months.