Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00162:section:541b:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2025C00162
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 541B (pt 2/3)
Character Range: 773319–776006

because of a specific direction in writing to the student from the academic registrar, or an equivalent officer, of the institution in question; or
 (c) because the academic registrar, or an equivalent officer, of the institution in question recommends in writing that the person undertake the amount of study mentioned in subparagraph (1)(b)(iv) in respect of the course for specified academic or vocational reasons.
  Paragraph (c) applies for no longer than half of the academic year.

Meaning of normal amount of full‑time study
 (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the normal amount of full‑time study in respect of a course is:
 (a) if:
 (i) the course is a course of study within the meaning of the Higher Education Support Act 2003; and
 (ii) there are Commonwealth supported students (within the meaning of that Act) enrolled in the course;
  the full‑time student load for the course; or
 (b) if the course is not such a course and the institution defines an amount of full‑time study that a full‑time student should typically undertake in respect of the course—the amount so defined; or
 (c) otherwise—an amount of full‑time study equivalent to the average amount of full‑time study that a person would have to undertake for the duration of the course in order to complete the course in the minimum amount of time needed to complete it.

Alternative meaning of normal amount of full‑time study
 (3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), and without limiting subsection (2), the normal amount of full‑time study in respect of a course is an average, taken over the duration of the period for which the person in question is enrolled in the course, of 20 contact hours per week.

Meaning of satisfactory progress
 (3A) In forming an opinion about whether a person is making satisfactory progress for the purpose of paragraph (1)(d), the Secretary is to have regard to the guidelines.
 (3B) The Minister, by legislative instrument:
 (a) is to set guidelines for the exercise of the Secretary's discretion under subsection (3A); and
 (b) may revoke or vary those guidelines.

First fortnight of classes
 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), a person is taken to be undertaking full‑time study in respect of a course during the period (the relevant period):
 (a) starting on the first day of classes in a study period; and
 (b) ending on the Friday of the second week of classes in the study period;
  if the person is enrolled in the course and undertakes study in respect of the course on at least one day in the relevant period.

Meaning of approved course of education or study
 (5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), the course is an approved course of education