Commonwealth of Australia
Higher Education Support Act 2003
Guidelines for Other Grants
Amendment Number 2
(i) CITATION
These guidelines may be cited as Amendment Number 2 to the Other Grants Guidelines.
(ii) AUTHORITY
These guidelines are made under section 238-10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
(iii) DATE OF EFFECT
These guidelines (except Paragraph 1.20 Extra Conditions of Eligibility) shall take effect upon Gazettal.
Paragraph 1.20 Extra Conditions of Eligibility comes into effect on 30 April 2005.
Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to amend the Other Guidelines made on 12 August 2004.
The Other Grants Guidelines are amended as follows:
ITEM 1
Amend i.ii entitled “Interpretation” in Chapter I entitled “Introduction” by inserting the following definitions in alphabetical order:
| Access |
In respect of the programs in Chapter 1, access means commencing higher education students. The access rate for a particular group of students is that group’s percentage share of all commencing domestic higher education students. |
| Participation |
In respect of the programs in Chapter 1, participation means total higher education enrolments. The participation rate for a particular group of students is that group’s percentage share of all domestic higher education enrolments. |
| Retention |
In respect of the programs in Chapter 1, retention means the number of students who re-enrol at a higher education provider in a given year, as a proportion of the students who were enrolled in the previous year, less those who completed their course. It provides a broad measure of retention (i.e. an Apparent Retention Rate) as it does not count as retained those who defer study or transfer successfully to another institution. |
| Success |
In respect of the programs in Chapter 1, and defined as the student progress rate (SPR), success means the proportion of units passed within a year compared with the total units enrolled. The Success indicator shows the ratio of the SPR for higher education students from a particular equity group to the SPR for all other domestic students. The Success indicator relates to the previous year. |
ITEM 2
Repeal Chapter 1 entitled “Grants to Promote Equality of Opportunity in Higher Education” by inserting the following text:
CHAPTER 1: GRANTS TO PROMOTE EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
1.1.1 The purpose of this chapter is to specify programs in accordance with subsection 41-15(1) of the Act for the purpose of promoting equality of opportunity in higher education in accordance with item 1 of subsection 41-10(1) of the Act and to specify matters listed in subsection 41-15(2) of the Act.
1.5 Description of Programs Under This Chapter
1.5.1 Programs in this chapter aim to assist with overcoming barriers to access and participation in higher education, particularly relating to Indigenous background, low socio-economic status, rural and isolated background, disability, non-English speaking background and gender.
1.10 Eligible Providers
1.10.5 In accordance with section 41-10 of the Act, higher education providers listed in Table A of the Act are eligible to receive grants under the equity programs specified in this chapter subject to any extra conditions of eligibility specified under this chapter.
INDIGENOUS SUPPORT PROGRAM
1.15 Program Objectives
1.15.5 The Indigenous Support Program aims to assist eligible higher education providers meet the special needs of Indigenous Australian students and to advance the goals of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy.
1.15.10 Grants under the Indigenous Support Program assist with Indigenous support activities.
1.20 Extra Conditions of Eligibility
1.20.5 To be eligible to receive Indigenous Support Program grants in any one year, Table A providers must demonstrate to DEST that they meet all of the following criteria:
- the provider has implemented strategies for improving access, participation, retention and success of Indigenous Australian students.
- participation of Indigenous people in the provider’s decision-making processes; and
- the provider has an Indigenous employment strategy.
1.25 Total Program Funds and Indexation
1.25.1 The total grants to be allocated under the Indigenous Support Program will be $26,531,000 in 2005. The total amount to be allocated under the Indigenous Support Program in subsequent years will be indexed in accordance with Division 198 of Part 5-6 of the Act, as in force from time to time.
1.25.5 Grants under the Indigenous Support Program are in respect of a year.
1.30 Payment to Higher Education Providers
1.30.1 In accordance with section 164-5 of the Act, grant amounts will be paid in such a way as the Minister determines, and at such times as the Secretary determines.
1.35 Reporting by Higher Education Providers
1.35.1 Higher education providers who receive grants under the Indigenous Support Program in respect of a year are required to provide DEST in the following year with a report on the expenditure of the grant amount including the amount provided to an Indigenous support/education centre, where one exists at the provider. For the convenience of providers, the expenditure report should be included in the Indigenous Education Statement lodged as part of the Institutional Assessment Framework information collection.
Other Grants Guidelines