Support for Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy

Following consultation with the higher education sector, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, has released revised content for guidelines for higher education providers regarding student services and amenities and student representation and advocacy.

The revised documents can be found below:

· Student Services and Amenities Fee Guidelines PDF PDF Document (86.1 KB)

· Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines PDF PDF Document (94.3 KB)

The Minister's press release of 6 May 2009 is available from the media centre: Support for Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy.

The Minister for Youth released the initial proposed content for guidelines for higher education providers regarding student services and amenities and student representation and advocacy on 19 February 2009. The Minister's press release of 19 February 2009 is available from the media centre: Securing the future of university support services.

These documents can be found below:

Student Services and Amenities Fee Guidelines PDF (124.8 KB)
Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines PDF (122.8 KB)

On 11 February 2009, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, introduced the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009 to the House of Representatives. Subject to passage, upon taking effect this Bill will make amendments to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and will give effect to the Government's proposed new arrangements outlined in the Minister's November 2008 media release.

The Minister’s speech is available from the media centre: Second Reading Speech, Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services And Amenities, And Other Measures) Bill 2009

On 3 November 2008 the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, announced the Government would be proposing new arrangements to support student services, amenities, representation and advocacy across the higher education sector. This reflects the Australian Government's commitment to ensuring that students in higher education have access to the amenities and services they need as well as access to independent, democratically elected student representation.

The Minister's press release of 3 November 2008 is available from the media centre: Rebuilding Student Support Services in our Universities

Background

Voluntary Student Unionism

Voluntary student unionism (VSU) came into effect in July 2006 and is governed by the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (section 19-37). Under the Act, higher education providers cannot require:

a student to be a member of a student association, union or guild; and/or
a person to pay a compulsory fee for facilities, amenities or services that are not of an academic nature.

On this page

Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students

Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students

In February 2008, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, invited universities, students, small business, sports and community groups to help inform the Government on the impact of the current VSU policy. Minister Ellis invited submissions in response to a discussion paper on the issue of VSU by COB 11 March 2008.

Minister Ellis also met with representatives from universities, students, small business, sports and community groups from across Australia during February and March to hear about the impact of VSU.

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Summary Report

The findings from the consultation supported the Government’s view that VSU has had a negative impact on student services, amenities and representation. Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students – Summary Report presents a summary of the findings from the written submissions and consultations.

The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students - Summary Report

The Government gave careful consideration to the outcomes of the consultation with the aim of achieving a sustainable, long-term solution to the issue.

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Discussion Paper

The discussion paper can be found below:

PDF (300.4 KB)

Public submissions to ‘The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students’ Discussion Paper can be found here.

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