On 14 September 2011 the Government announced its response to the Review of Student Income Support Reforms. The Report of the Review was tabled in Parliament on 14 September 2011.
Review of Student Income Support Reforms - Report
The Report of the Review was tabled in Parliament on 14 September 2011.
The Government’s response was announced on 14 September 2011.
The Government introduced the Social Security Amendment (Student Income Support Reforms) Bill 2011 to Parliament on 21 September 2011, seeking to implement these changes by 1 January 2012.
Questions and answers related to the changes are available on the Questions and Answers page.
Review of Student Income Support Reforms
On 16 March 2011, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Chris Evans, announced the Independent Chair and terms of reference for a review into the impact of the Australian Government’s Student Income Support Arrangements.
In March 2010, following consideration of the findings of the Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education, the Government introduced comprehensive reforms to ensure that more students across Australia have fairer access to student income support.
Under the current legislation, a comprehensive review of the student income support package of reforms was to commence by 30 June 2012. As announced on 21 February 2011, the Government brought forward this review by 12 months. The review considered the impact of the student income support arrangements implemented on equity, with a particular focus on the impact on rural and regional students and their capacity to access higher education.
The review reported to the Government on 8 July 2011, making any necessary recommendations for changes to achieve the reform objectives, within current budget constraints. The review was tabled in Parliament on 14 September 2011 and the Government’s response was announced on the same day. Legislation to implement new eligibility arrangements to eliminate regional eligibility distinctions for student payments by 1 January 2012 was passed through Parliament on 25 November 2011.
Independent Chair
The review was chaired by Professor Kwong Lee Dow, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.
Professor Lee Dow has an extensive background in education and has conducted reviews for a diverse range of government bodies and education institutions related to higher education, teaching and teacher education.
Terms of Reference
Submissions to the Review
Submissions are published here.
Consultation Process
Professor Kwong Lee Dow conducted 22 roundtable discussions in both metropolitan and rural and regional areas, in each state and territory, which focused on the Key Questions. Participants included university students, parents, representatives from local government, universities, TAFEs, parent and student organisations, academics, state government and other interested community members.
Locations of the roundtable discussions are detailed in the Consultation Schedule.