Proposed University Fees Reform

[erobertson]

Has anyone else seen this? 

They're trying to withdraw holders of PR from being eligible for Commonwealth places at Uni, therefore incurring much larger fees. 

https://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ed17-0138_-_he_-_glossy_budget_report_acc.pdf

Given that they also just changed the length of time we stay on PR before getting citizenship I imagine this will potentially affect a lot of people? 

Its certainly a massive kick in the guts for me. I'm doing a pathways course for an engineering degree that's ONLY available as Commonwealth Sponsored. 

We can apply for PR in August but it'll take them so long to grant it we won't have it before the proposed changes come in.

sigh....

 

[NicF]

It's interesting that this doesn't seem to have been picked up by any of the news articles.  One of the arguments for the change is that having to pay fees up front puts people off accessing University, but I would imagine paying full fees and coming out with a large loan would be just as off putting to many people.

Just as a side note @erobertson I would be surprised if you could not get a place on a course as a full fee paying student.  Once things have settled down a bit and the University's have had a chance to work out what the changes mean you should contact the Uni to see if you would still be eligible for a place.  Assuming you still want to go with the increase in fees you would have to pay.

[erobertson]

Hi Nic, 

I'm really surprised there's not more on this forum about the recent changes including the cancelling of the 457, the extended wait for PR and now the massively increased uni fees for those stuck on PR. I can only assume it's because it hasn't been in the media so much so maybe people aren't aware of the implications.

My specific degree course is only available to Commonwealth Students - so I'm out of that completely as full fee paying isn't even an option. I work full time and the beauty of it was that it completely works around my job. My employer is also paying for it and the 34k a year fees for international students is more than I think I'm entitled to for the whole degree! 

Thats one less engineer for Australia, which I think is a bad thing in the grand scheme of things....

[flossybeth]

I heard it on the news but didn't really follow the story up to know what the full implications maybe; even as a citizen it does concern me though as we have three, currently aged 15, 14 & 12, who will be having to make decisions about further education or not (and therefore their intended careers) in the relatively near future.

What bothers me most though is that the Government demand degrees and more for all sorts of careers whilst also seeming to think saddling young people with huge debt is a really good way to set them up in life. And then they wonder why first time buyers find it hard to get on the property ladder...