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Tuition Fee Concession for Diplomats and their Dependants Policy
1.
Purpose:
- The Australian Government requires diplomats and their dependants who live in Australia to pay international student tuition fees when enrolling at university.
- The University of Canberra (the University) recognises the benefit of having members of the diplomatic community as students.
- This policy sets out the eligibility criteria and conditions for a tuition fee concession for diplomats and their dependents.
2.
Scope:
- This policy applies to all diplomats and their dependants eligible for a tuition fee concession at the University of Canberra or the University of Canberra College.
3.
Principles:
Eligibility
- To be eligible for a tuition fee concession, a student must meet all of the following:
- be enrolled in a University of Canberra College course or University of Canberra award course
- live in the Australian Capital Territory or its immediate surrounds
- be the holder of a Diplomatic (subclass 995) visa
- not already hold an award recognised by the Australian Government as the equivalent of, or higher AQF level* than the award being sought from the University of Canberra (international qualifications will be assessed for Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalency using the Australian Government Country Education Profiles database)
- not be a citizen of New Zealand.
- The following conditions apply to the award of a tuition fee concession:
- The concession is available to visa holders of a Diplomatic (subclass 995) visa for the duration of the course, subject to annual confirmation/provision of evidence showing currency of a Diplomatic (subclass 995) visa).
- The concession is not available to a student who is sponsored or is in receipt of any other discount or scholarship.
- Students must make satisfactory academic progress under the University of Canberra Academic Progress Rules 2022. If a student is suspended from their course of study, they will be re-assessed for eligibility for a concession at the conclusion of the suspension period.
- Where a student has been discontinued from study and subsequently re-applies for admission to any course, the University will reassess a student’s ongoing eligibility for the tuition fee concession.
- Where a student is the subject of a finding of academic or non-academic misconduct, made in accordance with the Student Conduct Rules (2023), the University reserves the right to withdraw a student’s tuition fee concession.
- Applicants with a Diplomatic (subclass 995) visa will be assessed for eligibility for the tuition fee concession based on the information provided in their course application.
- Tuition fee concession applicants must provide evidence of their diplomatic status via their visa grant letter and/or a copy of their current passport. This information should be provided with the application for study.
- Fees are subject to annual review and may increase based on decisions made by Council.
- Undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree by research (HDR) students eligible for a tuition fee concession may receive a 40% discount on the published international annual fee) for on-campus fee-paying international students. This amount is considerably lower than the University’s standard fee, while complying with the requirements of the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
- Where the tuition fee concession reduces the fee to less than the minimum indicative course fee (set by the Australian Government), the minimum indicative course fee will be charged.
- UCC students studying ELICOS and International Foundation Studies programs eligible for a tuition fee concession may receive a 20% discount on the published fee for on-campus fee paying international students.
4.
Responsibilities:
| Who | Responsibilities |
| Council | Approves fee increases annually |
| Future Students Office | Assesses student eligibility for discount as part of application processing. |
| Student |
|
5.
Legislation:
This policy is governed by the following legislation:
- Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000
- Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Framework
- Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021
- Higher Education Support Act 2003
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (National Code) 2018
- University of Canberra (Academic Progress) Rules 2022
- University of Canberra (Fees) Rules 2022
- University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules (2023)
- University of Canberra Fees Statute.
6.
Supporting Information:
Documents related to this policy are:
- Academic Progress Policy
- Academic Progress (Coursework Units) Procedure
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
7.
Definitions:
| Terms | Definitions |
| Annual Fee | Fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Course fees are set annually by Council and usually increase each year. |
| Course | Has the same meaning given in the University of Canberra Courses and Awards (Courses of Study) Rules 2023. |
| Register of Courses | A list of courses and associated awards approved for offering by Academic Board (Digital Handbook) |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress | Satisfactory academic progress is when a student has an academic standing of “Good Standing” or “Academic Concern”. Students not meeting satisfactory academic progress criteria are on “Academic Probation” or suspension. Refer to the Academic Progress Policy and Academic Progress (Coursework units) Procedure for further details. This definition supports the University of Canberra Academic Progress Rules 2022. |
| Student | A person undertaking a coursework or high degree by research course as defined in the University Register of Courses (Digital Handbook). |
| Diplomatic (subclass 995) visa | Allows the entry and temporary stay of diplomats and accompanying persons who are accredited to Australia as official representatives of foreign governments, the United Nations and certain international organisations. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) approves the appointments to Australia and recommends Diplomatic visas be granted. Visas may be granted initially for up to four years. |
| Teaching Period | A semester, term or other period undertaken by research and/or coursework students that corresponds to the way a unit or course is offered and includes final feedback (including the final grade of the unit). A teaching period may also include a final assessment period. |
| Undergraduate | A person undertaking coursework leading to the degree of bachelor, diploma or associate diploma or undergraduate certificate as specified in the Register of Courses (Digital Handbook). |
