Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00140:clause:1_4:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00140
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 4 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 46299–49489

4                              unit of study              Schedule 1

Division 2—Objects

2‑1  Objects of this Act
  The objects of this Act are:
 (a) to support a higher education system that:
 (i) is characterised by quality, diversity and equity of access; and
 (ii) contributes to the development of cultural and intellectual life in Australia; and
 (iii) is appropriate to meet Australia's social and economic needs for a highly educated and skilled population; and
 (iv) promotes and protects freedom of speech and academic freedom; and
 (b) to support the distinctive purposes of universities, which are:
 (i) the education of persons, enabling them to take a leadership role in the intellectual, cultural, economic and social development of their communities; and
 (ii) the creation and advancement of knowledge; and
 (iii) the application of knowledge and discoveries to the betterment of communities in Australia and internationally; and
 (iv) the engagement with industry and the local community to enable graduates to thrive in the workforce;
  recognising that universities are established under laws of the Commonwealth, the States and the Territories that empower them to achieve their objectives as autonomous institutions through governing bodies that are responsible for both the university's overall performance and its ongoing independence; and
 (c) to strengthen Australia's knowledge base, and enhance the contribution of Australia's research capabilities to national economic development, international competitiveness and the attainment of social goals; and
 (d) to support students undertaking higher education and certain vocational education and training.

Division 3—Overview of this Act

3‑1  General
  This Act primarily provides for the Commonwealth to give financial support for higher education and certain vocational education and training:
 (a) through grants and other payments made largely to higher education providers; and
 (b) through financial assistance to students (usually in the form of loans).

3‑5  Grants for higher education assistance etc. (Chapter 2)
 (1) Chapter 2 sets out who are higher education providers, and provides for the following grants and payments:
 (a) grants under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme;
 (aa) grants for assisting Indigenous persons;
 (b) other grants for particular purposes;
 (c) grants for Commonwealth scholarships.
 (2) Higher education providers will be universities, self‑accrediting entities or non self‑accrediting entities.
 (3) Chapter 2 also provides for the direct payment to students of certain Commonwealth scholarships.

3‑10  Assistance to students (Chapter 3)
  Chapter 3 provides for the following assistance to students:
 (a) HECS‑HELP assistance for student contribution amounts;
 (b) FEE‑HELP assistance for tuition fees;
 (c) OS‑HELP assistance for overseas study;
 (d) SA‑HELP assistance for meeting student services and amenities fees imposed by higher education providers;
 (e) STARTUP‑HELP assistance for accelerator program courses.
Chapter 3 also deals with a person's Student Learning Entitlement.

3‑15  Repayment of loans (Chapter 4)
  Chapter 4 sets out how debts are incurred and