TYPES OF STUDENTS AND PLACES

Domestic students (as referred to below) are Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens or holders of an Australian permanent visa. All other students are considered international students.

Higher education providers may offer domestic students either a 'Commonwealth supported place' or a 'fee paying place'. In South Australia and the Northern Territory most domestic undergraduate students will be Commonwealth supported students. From January 2009 public universities can, in general, only enrol domestic undergraduate students as Commonwealth supported students.

COMMONWEALTH SUPPORTED STUDENTS

From 2005, each higher education provider sets its own student contributions for each unit of study, within a range set by the Australian Government (see table below). Student contributions may therefore vary between higher education providers and courses. For more up-to-date information, check the universities' websites:
www.cdu.edu.au
www.flinders.edu.au
www.adelaide.edu.au
www.unisa.edu.au

1. Course costs will depend on the individual subjects chosen. These maximum student contributions were for full time students for a full year. The maximum is indexed each year according to movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

2. From 2009 the maximum student contribution amount for units of study in mathematics, statistics and science decreased. Student contributions for these units may now be set to the same maximum amount as other units of study under the National Priorities Band. For pre-2009 students (students who commenced a course of study before 1 January 2009) the maximum student contribution that may be charged for mathematics, statistics and science units in 2011 is $7,756 per EFTSL, the same maximum amount as other units of study in Band 2.

3. From 2010 the maximum student contribution amount for units of study in education and nursing increased. Student contributions for these units may now be set to the same maximum amount as other units of study in Band 1. For pre-2010 students (students who commenced a course of study before 1 January 2010) the maximum student contribution that may be charged for education and nursing units in 2011 is $4,355 per EFTSL, the same maximum amount as other units of study under the National Priorities Band.

4. From 2008 the maximum student contribution amount for units of study in accounting, administration, economics and commerce increased. Student contributions for these units may now be set to the same maximum amount as other units of study in Band 3. For pre-2008 students (students who commenced a course of study before 1 January 2008) the maximum student contribution that may be charged for accounting, administration, economics and commerce units in 2011 is $7,756 per EFTSL, the same maximum amount as other units of study in Band 2. The arrangements for pre-2008 students will apply until the end of 2012.

Student contribution ranges for 2012 are available on the Going to Uni website at www.goingtouni.gov.au.

STUDENT LEARNING ENTITLEMENT (SLE)

In 2005, each domestic student received a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) of 7 years equivalent full-time study as a Commonwealth supported student. SLE is provided in terms of study load, so that students who study part-time will not be disadvantaged. Students gradually consume their SLE as they undertake units of study as a Commonwealth supported student. Students can only be Commonwealth supported students while they have available SLE. Additional SLE will be provided to students enrolled in certain courses, including those undertaking undergraduate degrees longer than six years and those undertaking an honours course.

FEE-PAYING STUDENTS

The Australian Government does not contribute to course costs for fee paying students; these students pay a 'tuition fee'.

Each higher education provider sets its own tuition fees for each course, so the tuition fees will vary between providers and courses. The Government sets a minimum for tuition fees. For domestic students, tuition fees will be equal to or more than the student contributions paid by Commonwealth supported students in the same course.