By Taylor Stott
IMG: Unsplash.com
Enclosed in a new proposal announced by Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan, university students who fail more than half of their subjects in the first-year of the course will be at risk of having their financial support removed.
According to Tehan’s statement, the scheme aims to
“Protect students and taxpayers from the the accumulation of large HELP debts that do not provide benefits to the student and are unlikely to be repaid.”
The Job-ready graduates legislation will affect students by;
- Requiring that Universities ensure all students are academically suitable for their course of enrolment.
- Ensuring students are engaged with the course and maintaining a reasonable completion rate.
- Removing access to Commonwealth supports such as HECS-HELP debts for students with a low completion or progression rate.
The only exception to the new legislation is if a student can demonstrate circumstances significantly impacted his/her academic performance. For example – illness or bereavement.
The announcement has prompted backlash with some saying that the changes target the vulnerable.
Charles Sturt University, first year student Grace Doyle discusses.
“In my opinion this new scheme is absolutely ridiculous. It places unrealistic expectations on new students who are already struggling with the transition from high school. Not to mention with COVID-19 as we continue online learning, mental health is at an all time low. Will the government take that into consideration when students begin to fail courses? The Government should be encouraging us to get a higher education.“
Grace Doyle
The job ready graduates legislation was announced to the media on August 13 and will be effective immediately in an attempt to “put students interests’ first”.
