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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-07-11 Daily Xml
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TAFE FEES

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:51): My question is to the Acting Minister for Employment, Higher Education And Skills. How many TAFE students have received invoices for additional fees in contradiction to earlier written advice from TAFE that their course fee was capped?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Workers Rehabilitation, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:51): TAFE SA usually only enrols students by semester, not the full year. For most students who enrolled in the first semester of 2012 their fees have either reduced or remained the same for the second semester. However, diploma and advanced diploma students were advised when they enrolled at the beginning of the year that from the second semester in 2012 there could be increased fees, that some fees may go up and some may go down.

The change in fee structures is represented by a 25¢ per hour increase, which in some cases may be partially offset by the abolition of the materials fees. Skills For All costs should not be a barrier to further training, which is why VET FEE-HELP will be available for students studying diploma and advanced diploma courses. This means that from 1 July students can defer payment of course fees similar to the HECS-style loan scheme.

I am advised that there was some confusion at the start of the year about the continued application of the fee capping policy and that some TAFE SA education program areas incorrectly advised students at the start of the year of fee capping for student fees for the second semester. As a consequence, if any—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: As a consequence, if any student was provided assurance that the previous fee capping policy would apply, TAFE SA will honour that. Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive Officer of TAFE SA, has been instructed to send a reminder to all TAFE SA staff about the current fee policy—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive of the Office of TAFE SA, has been instructed to send a reminder to all TAFE SA staff about the current fee policy and to ensure students are provided with accurate up-to-date information. I am advised that, in the case of the woman to whom the member for Unley referred yesterday, she enrolled and paid course fees for a Diploma of Visual Merchandising for the first semester only. However, I understand that she was provided advice that the fee cap would apply for the full year, and that advice will be honoured. If students have any inquiries they can visit their local campus or, alternatively, contact TAFE SA on 1800 882 661.

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