Page 1 of 22 VET FEE-HELP frequently asked questions for providers last updated 22 July 2016 Question and answers for VET FEE-HELP Providers Section 1: Student Entry Procedures 1.1. Can a student commence a course and then provide the copy of the certificate of education before their first census date? A. The onus is on the provider to ascertain if a student is entitled to VET FEE-HELP as close as possible to enrolment or commencement. This ensures the entitlement is established well in advance of the census date. Entitlement will not be established until the required academic suitability evidence is provided. A provider’s administrative procedures must ensure the evidence of academic suitability is retained for at least five years. 1.2. Can qualifications other than a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education be used to access a VET FEE-HELP loan? A. No. Students who do not hold a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education must complete the Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing to be eligible to access a VET FEE-HELP loan. As such, the following qualifications cannot be used to access a VET FEE-HELP loan: a VET qualification (e.g. Cert III, Cert IV, diploma); a higher education qualification (e.g. degree or higher tertiary qualification); an overseas year 12 equivalent qualification; a Diploma of International Baccalaureate achievement of a Certificate IV within the same suite of the applied Diploma; or any ‘Fee for Service’ programme that has Reading and Numeracy components in it to provide another pathway for students that do not meet Exit Level 3, and should they pass this unit, gain entry into the diploma. It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure students provide a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or successfully complete the LLN testing using an approved assessment tool.
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Page 1 of 22 VET FEE-HELP frequently asked questions for providers last updated 22 July 2016
Question and answers for VET FEE-HELP Providers
Section 1: Student Entry Procedures
1.1. Can a student commence a course and then provide the copy of the certificate of education before their first census date?
A. The onus is on the provider to ascertain if a student is entitled to VET FEE-HELP as close as possible to enrolment or commencement. This ensures
the entitlement is established well in advance of the census date. Entitlement will not be established until the required academic suitability
evidence is provided.
A provider’s administrative procedures must ensure the evidence of academic suitability is retained for at least five years.
1.2. Can qualifications other than a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education be used to access a VET FEE-HELP loan?
A. No. Students who do not hold a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education must complete the Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) testing to be
eligible to access a VET FEE-HELP loan. As such, the following qualifications cannot be used to access a VET FEE-HELP loan:
a VET qualification (e.g. Cert III, Cert IV, diploma);
a higher education qualification (e.g. degree or higher tertiary qualification);
an overseas year 12 equivalent qualification;
a Diploma of International Baccalaureate
achievement of a Certificate IV within the same suite of the applied Diploma; or
any ‘Fee for Service’ programme that has Reading and Numeracy components in it to provide another pathway for students that do not meet
Exit Level 3, and should they pass this unit, gain entry into the diploma.
It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure students provide a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or successfully complete the LLN testing
using an approved assessment tool.
Page 2 of 22 VET FEE-HELP frequently asked questions for providers last updated 22 July 2016
1.3. Is a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education?
A. Yes, the VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate and, therefore, an acceptable Senior Secondary Certificate of Education when awarded for the
completion of year 12.
1.4. Is a Queensland Senior Statement a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education?
A. No, a Senior Statement, while awarded to a student on completion of year 12, is a record of results and does not meet the specification of a Senior
Secondary Certificate of Education under the Australian Qualifications Framework.
1.5. Can an official letter from a state or territory authority be used to access a VET FEE-HELP loan?
A. Yes, provided the document confirms the student received a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education for the completion of year 12.
1.6. Are students who are yet to finish year 12 able to access VET FEE-HELP?
A. Yes, noting that -
i. Students who are not able to present a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education on completion of year 12 will need to demonstrate their
eligibility using an approved LLN assessment tool.
ii. Students who are still completing their secondary schooling can only access a VET FEE-HELP loan if they meet the requirements for a loan as
well as new requirements related to the protection for students under 18 years of age.
1.7. Where can I find: “Assessment of LLN testing instruments and processes for VET FEE-HELP providers”?
A. The Assessment of LLN testing instruments and processes for VET FEE-HELP Report (Stage 2) is available on the departmental website at
http://www.education.gov.au/help-resources-providers. The report can be downloaded in PDF or Word format at
1.9. What are the likely timeframes in the approval process for a provider who seeks to use its own, or an external, LLN assessment tool?
A. The timeframe varies according to the independent assessor’s timeframes and the department’s approval timeframes. Providers should make
alternate arrangements with access to the Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) or BKsB (Australian Education) in the interim. Approved assessment
tools are listed at http://www.education.gov.au/help-resources-providers.
1.10. Do students who enrolled in 2015, for 2016 course commencement, have to follow the new student entry procedures (i.e. obtain their Senior
Secondary Certificate of Education or display competency through an approved test)?
A. The student entry procedures apply in relation to VET courses of study where enrolment in the course occurs on or after 1 January 2016.
1.11. Does a VET FEE-HELP applicant need to demonstrate competency in any skills other than Reading and Numeracy?
A. Not for access to VET FEE-HELP. Of the five core skills described in the Australian Core Skills Framework, only reading and numeracy competencies
at Exit Level 3 need to be demonstrated to be eligible for a VET FEE-HELP loan. These competencies must be met even if the course does not include
aspects of reading or numeracy.
1.12. What kind of assistance can we give a student undertaking an LLN test?
A. A VET provider is in the best position to assess what disability support a student may require when undertaking an approved LLN test. The Disability
Discrimination Act 1992 requires reasonable adjustments to be implemented to ensure a person with a disability is not discriminated against.
Providers must ensure assessment processes are conducted with honesty and integrity.
For example, if completing the Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA), the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) advises that the teacher
or administrator can support the learner to understand how the online assessment operates (how to navigate pages, how to respond and answer
questions, etc.), but they should not give any advice that helps the learner understand the stimulus text provided or answer the question.
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1.13. Does the student entry procedure (i.e. competency at or above Exit Level 3 in reading and numeracy) apply to the Certificate IV trial
qualifications?
A. No.
1.14. When will the Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) approved testing tool be available? What format will it take?
A. The CSPA can be sourced by providers now. For further information about the test, visit the VET FEE-HELP and FAQ’s pages on the ACER website.
CSPA is an online assessment of foundation skills that assesses and reports on learner skills instantly (no human marking is required), with reports
on candidate performance available immediately after completion of the assessments for use as evidence of competency.
1.15. If a student meets all course entry requirements, but does not display competence at or above Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills
Framework, is he or she precluded from entry to the course?
A. No. The entry requirements apply to accessing a VET FEE-HELP loan, and not to entry to the course.
1.16. Can a student resit an LLN assessment (using an approved testing tool)? If so, when and how many times can a student resit an LLN assessment?
A. Students would re-sit based on the provider’s assessment of readiness. The ACER’s recommendation is that at least three months be provided
between assessments to allow enough time for progress to be made and improvements to be demonstrated. This also allows time for the learner
and the RTO to implement any targeted LLN support and for the learner to improve his or her LLN skills to the required level.
Providers are reminded of the Guideline requirement for the results of pre-requisite assessments to be reported to the Secretary, when requested.
Providers are also reminded of the need to conduct the process with honesty and integrity (Higher Education Support (VET) Guideline 2015,
sub-paragraph 38(1)(c)).
1.17. If a provider is in the process of seeking Ministerial approval to use an external LLN assessment tool, can the provider use the test that is under
consideration?
A. No. Providers should ensure that students who are enrolled in courses from 1 January 2016, and who do not provide a Senior Secondary Certificate
of Education, are adequately assessed for VET FEE-HELP entitlement before accessing a VET FEE-HELP loan. If providers use a test that is not yet
approved, and attempt to allow students to access VET FEE-HELP loans based on that eligibility, those students would not be entitled to access a
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VET FEE-HELP loan. The provider will be in breach of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (the Act) (as amended by the Higher Education Support
Amendment (VET FEE-HELP Reform) Act 2015) provisions. The students may also be entitled to request a remission of their debt under clause 23B of
Schedule 1A of the Act.
1.18. Does an applicant’s Senior Secondary Certificate of Education result affect their eligibility for a VET FEE-HELP loan?
A. No. Access to a VET FEE-HELP loan can be granted to a student with a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education awarded on completion of year 12
who meets the other entitlement criteria (clause 43 of Schedule 1A to the Act). It is the responsibility of providers to determine whether students
meet other course pre-requisites to access diploma-level and above qualifications.
1.19. Is there is a time limit on Year 12 Certificates for VET applications (i.e. when they are no longer valid)?
A. No. There is no limitation for acceptance of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (year 12 certificate) in relation to when it was awarded for
completion of year 12.
1.20. Is there a list of all Certificates that will be acceptable for all states and territories?
A. Depending on the state and territory, you will need to contact the relevant department that issues the Senior Secondary Certificates of Education
for this information. Here is a list of contact details for the appropriate state and territory government departments that will assist you in obtaining
the examples.
New South Wales - contact the Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) by phone (02) 9367 8111.
Victoria - contact the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority by phone (03) 9032 1700 or 1800 134 197.
Western Australia – contact the Government of Western Australia, Department of Training and Workforce Development by phone on (08) 9218 2100.
Queensland – contact the Queensland Government, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority by phone 13 74 68 or email [email protected].
Northern Territory – contact the Northern Territory, Department of Education Certification Officers at the Department of Education by phone on (08) 8944 9253 or (08) 8944 9254.
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South Australia – contact the South Australia Certificate of Education (SACE) by phone on (08) 8944 9253 or (08) 8944 9254.
Australian Capital Territory – contact the ACT Government, Education Directorate Board of Senior Secondary Studies (02) 6205 7181 or email [email protected].
Tasmania – contact the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (03) 6165 6000 or email [email protected].
1.21. Can a provider offer a student a place in a course before he or she completes the LLN testing?
A. Yes. However, access to a VET FEE-HELP loan prior to the student displaying competency at or above Exit Level 3 in the Australian Core Skills
Framework in reading and numeracy is a breach of the Act’s provisions. Under Section 31, Division 4 of part 4 of the Higher Education Support (VET)
Guideline 2015, providers must give students information on the eligibility criteria for access to VET FEE-HELP before enrolling them.
1.22. For how long are LLN results valid?
A. The legislation does not prescribe a validity period for results from a LLN test through an approved LLN testing instrument. However, providers are
required to retain results from LLN tests for at least 5 years.
1.23. Can students’ LLN tests results from another VET provider be accepted?
A. Yes. There is nothing preventing a provider from accepting the results provided the student has been assessed as meeting exit level 3 in the
Australian Core Skills Framework in both reading and numeracy through an approved testing instrument.
However, due to the provision of sections 37 and 38, Division 5 of Part 4 of the VET Guideline, the assessment tool used must be included in the
provider’s published Entry Procedure. Note that subsection 37(1), Division 5 of Part 4 of the VET Guideline also requires a VET Provider to
reasonably believe the student is academically suited to undertake the course and, under paragraph 37 (2)(b)(ii), the VET Provider must reasonably
believe the student displays that level of competence.
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1.24. Is there a requirement to report students who do not meet the student entry requirements?
A. Only students who are, or would be, entitled to VET FEE-HELP assistance, irrespective of whether they choose to access that assistance, are required to be reported. This includes all students enrolled in an eligible course who meet the citizenship or residency requirements and have a FEE-HELP balance greater than zero. Students who do not meet the entry procedure requirements are not required to be reported, as they are not entitled to access VET FEE-HELP. Students’ eligibility for VET FEE-HELP must be determined by the census date. If the student does not meet the requirements by the census date, he or she is excluded from the VET FEE-HELP student data collection. However, if the student meets the requirements by the census date, he or she is included in the data collection.
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Section 2: VET FEE-HELP Invoice Notice
2.1 A student must be issued with a ‘VET FEE-HELP Invoice Notice’ at least 14 days before the census date. Does this mean that the minimum
amount of time a student can be eligible for VET FEE-HELP assistance is 14 days prior to the census date?
A. Yes. Refer to page 16 of the VET Administrative Information for Providers Addendum:
“For example, from 1 January 2016 a VET provider must issue an Invoice Notice to a student no less than 14 days prior to the census date. A student
would need to be enrolled in the course to be invoiced for units of study. Therefore course enrolment would need to occur at least 14 days prior to
the census date.”
2.2 How does the two business day gap interact with the 14 day invoice notice requirement? Do these requirements mean the student cannot enrol
less than 16 days before the census date?
A. The 14 day invoice notice requirement is separate from the two business day gap. The two business day gap can occur within the 14 day invoice
notice period in cases where an invoice is provided to a student on enrolment.
2.3 Do the new invoicing requirements apply to students who were enrolled in 2015 but who have census dates in 2016?
A. The invoicing requirements apply to VET units of study with census dates on or after 28 January 2016.
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Section 3: Two Day Gap between enrolment and loan request
3.1 Can the student complete most of the Commonwealth assistance form at the time of enrolment and sign after the two day (business days) gap?
A. No. The student must not ‘complete, sign and give’ an appropriate officer of a VET Provider the form until two business days after enrolment in the
course.
3.2 Must the two business day gap requirement be met when students transition or transfer from a superseded course into a replacement course?
A. Yes.
3.3 During the two day gap are providers able to be in contact with the students?
A. The legislation requires students enrolled in a VET course of study to not submit a request for Commonwealth assistance form until two business
days have elapsed following enrolment. The Act does not otherwise regulate contact within this period.
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Section 4: Minimum of Three Fee Periods Requirements
4.1 Are students who started their course in 2015, but who have census dates in 2016, subject to the “three fee period” requirements?
A. No. The three fee period requirement applies in relation to a student enrolled as a VET student in the VET units of study forming part of a VET
course of study, if the course commences on or after 1 January 2016.
4.2 Can a provider set a fee period for every unit of study?
A. Yes, if the fee periods are sequential and proportionate.
4.3 Do providers need to advise the Department of their fee periods for each course?
A. No, unless asked as part of compliance investigations or monitoring.
4.4 Does the minimum three fee periods requirement apply across the course or is it across the year for each year of the course?
A. The minimum three fee periods apply to the course. Providers may set three fee periods across each year of the course if they wish.
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Section 5: Marketing and publishing
5.1 What is defined as marketing material?
A. This material includes all activities that market, advertise or promote a provider’s units, courses or services. This requirement extends to any
marketing, advertising or promotion done by another person or body for the VET provider. A VET provider must ensure that all marketing,
advertising or promoting of any of its VET units of study or VET courses of study clearly and prominently mentions:
(a) the VET provider’s name, registered business name (if any), and any other business name it uses; and (b) the maximum VET tuition fees payable for the units or courses.
5.2 Can a provider advertise the ‘loaning’ of a laptop or other device?
A. No. Advertising of items, which are loaned or used by students, to induce persons to enrol is prohibited. Providers can loan equipment to students
accessing VET FEE-HELP, but this loan service cannot be advertised, promoted or marketed (Higher Education Support (VET) Guideline 2015,
subsection 25(2)). This new requirement is in addition to the total inducement ban that was introduced on 1 April 2015, which includes cash, meals,
prizes, vouchers and laptops (refer to the Act’s infringement and civil penalty provisions, Division 5A of Schedule 1A).
5.3 Can a provider, or associated agent or broker, talk about VET FEE-HELP in a cold-call situation?
A. No. An agent (that is, an individual working on behalf of a provider as a broker, agent or associate) must not use the VET FEE-HELP loan scheme as a
marketing tool during a cold-call (i.e. unsolicited contact where a potential customer has not had any prior contact with the agent) as specified in
the VET Guideline (Higher Education Support (VET) Guideline 2015, subsection 25(3)). An agent may not mention “VET FEE-HELP” during a cold-call,
which includes, but is not limited to, by telephone, email, door-to-door, in shopping centres or outside Centrelink offices. The intent of this
requirement is to enable prospective students to select a VET provider based on considerations of quality and price of training and to make
payment decisions later, with a clear understanding of their rights and obligations.
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Compliance tips:
If the customer enquires about payment options, or specifically seeks information about VET FEE-HELP, in a cold-call situation, the agent can:
refer the customer to investigate their options (such as via the Study Assist or My Skills websites for information on Government assistance) and
suggest the customer initiate subsequent contact with the provider at a later date; or
provide the customer with return contact details so the customer may, on deciding he or she would like further information (including about
payment options), then initiate contact with the agent; or
offer the physical address of the provider or campus in order that the customer may seek further information by visiting the provider in person.
5.4 My institution recently updated its maximum course tuition fees on the My Skills website. What should I do when these fees change?
A. The indicative maximum tuition fee for the courses offered by VET FEE-HELP providers in 2016 must be uploaded onto the My Skills website.
You may update information on the My Skills website at any time.
Please note that any changes to tuition fees for VET units of study which make up a VET course of study must be made in accordance with the
variation requirements set out in section 62, Division 1 of Part 7 of the Higher Education Support (VET) Guideline 2015 in relation to the publishing
of VET unit of study tuition fees.
5.5 Where price differences exist based on delivery mode do we list the different prices with the different delivered mode or just the ‘Maximum
tuition fees’?
A. The maximum tuition fee should be uploaded; however, providers are able to provide some information in the text field.
5.6 My institution has some old marketing material that is still in circulation on social media that does not comply with the new rules concerning the
marketing and advertising of VET FEE-HELP. Is this okay given the material was developed before 1 January 2016?
A. No. Providers should ensure that all marketing material in circulation that refers to VET FEE-HELP complies with the requirements set out in both
the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and the Higher Education Support (VET) Guideline 2015, regardless of the date on which the material
Page 13 of 22 VET FEE-HELP frequently asked questions for providers last updated 22 July 2016
Section 6: Freeze on Loan Growth
6.1 How will census dates for September 2015 onwards be taken into account given that census dates between January and August are only being
considered for a provider’s notional VET FEE-HELP loan account?
A. The legislative criteria stipulate the calculation of the notional loan accounts. If there are significant issues fitting existing continuing students (enrolled on or prior to 11 December 2015) into the loan cap, providers should send details of the circumstances to the Secretary of the Department of Education and Training care of the Branch Manager, VET FEE-HELP Branch, for consideration. In describing the circumstances, providers should include details of dates of enrolments of existing continuing students and course fees from 2014 to 2016. This could be in electronic or paper form, via: o [email protected]; or o The Secretary of the Department of Education and Training
Page 15 of 22 VET FEE-HELP frequently asked questions for providers last updated 22 July 2016
6.6 What do the reforms mean for providers who plan to expand their scope and business? Will new diploma courses be subject to the freeze?
A. Expansion and growth that directly involves students accessing VET FEE-HELP loans may be limited, including for new courses. Providers may alter
their business models or reduce fees for existing courses to accommodate more students under the cap. Alternatively, providers may offer other
payment options for students.
6.7 There is a reference to amounts paid in arrears. Does this apply to providers who exceed their ‘cap’?
A. No. This is not an additional payment above the ‘cap’ for providers. Payment to providers in arrears, up to their notional account cap only, will be
applied in some cases. The department will use a risk-based approach to identify circumstances where this will be necessary. The department will
contact all providers to give advice of individual applicable payment arrangements.
6.8 Does the notional loan account calculation use estimates, payments or liabilities?
A. The reference to ‘paid’ in the Act (subclause 45D(3) of Schedule 1A) should be read in conjunction with the Commonwealth’s liability to ‘pay’
providers only for incurred VET FEE-HELP liabilities (Division 9 of Schedule 1A to the Act – clause 55). In this context, therefore, ‘paid’ refers to the
amounts of VET FEE-HELP liabilities incurred by students on census dates that occurred from 1 January 2015 to 31 August 2015.
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Section 7: Increases to the notional VET FEE-HELP account
7.1 Can providers increase their notional loan account?
A. The Government has prepared guidelines to assist providers seeking to increase their notional VET FEE-HELP loan account. The guidelines set out
where and how requests can be submitted, and the criteria against which they will be assessed. The guidelines are available on the departmental
website at http://www.education.gov.au/help-resources-providers.
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Section 8: Changes to new provider approval criteria
8.1 What do these changes mean for bodies that are currently applying to become approved to offer VET FEE-HELP?
A. The new requirements apply to all applications existing as at 1 January 2016 or that apply from 1 January 2016, including new applications and
applications still under review (even if they were lodged before 1 January 2016).
8.2 Is there a revised VET FEE-HELP 'application guide' to support the changes?
A. The new application guide will be available in July 2016.
8.3 What does the terminology ‘offering’ in relation to the new subparagraphs 6(1)(ca) and 6(1A)(da) of Schedule 1A to the Act regarding qualifying
courses for application mean?
A. Only diploma-level or above courses that have been delivered by an applicant continuously, or as part of a series without interruption, since at least
1 January 2011 will be assessed as satisfying the requirements specified in subparagraphs 6(1)(ca) and 6(1A)(da) of Schedule 1A to the Act. Applicants
will be required to confirm which of its diploma-level or above courses meet these requirements and provide total student numbers enrolled in each
course for each year from January 2011 to date. Applicants are advised that, if approved, their VET FEE-HELP notional loan account will be limited to
2015 domestic fee revenue from qualifying courses which met these requirements.
8.4 How long will my application take to assess? Why is it taking so long?
A. The department continues to progress the assessment of a large number of VET FEE-HELP provider applications and cannot advance any application
ahead of another. Application processing times vary and are delayed when further information is required or incomplete information is submitted.
8.5 Are we able to apply as a trust in its own right?
A. No, a trust in its own right or with an individual as a trustee is not a body corporate and, therefore, does not meet the requirements to be approved
as a VET provider.
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8.6 If our application is approved, are students able to access VET FEE-HELP for all diploma-level or above courses on our scope?
A. No, students will only be entitled to access VET FEE-HELP for those qualifying courses which were assessed as meeting the requirements of
paragraphs 6(1)(c) and 6(1A)(da) of Schedule 1A to the Act.
8.7 If approved as a VET provider, how will our notional loan account amount be calculated?
A. For newly approved providers (approved on or after 1 January 2016), the VET FEE-HELP total loan amount (cap) for 2016 is calculated as an amount
equal to the 2015 domestic fee revenue in qualifying courses that were assessed as meeting the requirements of paragraphs 6(1)(c) and 6(1A)(da)
of Schedule 1A to the Act.
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Section 9: Financial Viability Requirements
9.1 What are the consequences if a provider does not meet the requirement for the first or subsequent reporting periods?
A. The additional financial viability requirements will be assessed in line with the commencement information in the Higher Education Support (VET)
Guideline 2015. Where a provider fails to meet a requirement, the department may seek further information in relation to the failure, implement
additional approval conditions, or commence regulatory action as appropriate.
9.2 Does the annual reporting period refer to the Australian financial year calendar for reporting purposes and, therefore, cover financial activity
between 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 (the first full financial reporting period commenced after 1 January 2016)?
A. The annual reporting period refers to the individual financial reporting cycle of each approved applicant or provider. For instance, if an organisation
uses a financial year reporting basis, then its annual financial reporting period will conclude on 30 June each year. Those organisations that use a
calendar year reporting basis will have an annual financial reporting period that finishes on 31 December each year.
9.3 For the purposes of first time assessment, is the first annual reporting period after January 2016 considering the financial period that has already
commenced in July 2015? Thus, assessment will be conducted 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016?
A. For providers that use a financial year reporting period, the first annual reporting period will be the year commencing 1 July 2015 and ending 30
June 2016.
For providers that use the calendar year financial reporting cycle, the first annual reporting period considered in relation to the new financial
viability requirements will be the year commencing 1 January 2016 and ending 31 December 2016.
9.4 Does the cap of 100 enrolments refer to each qualification on a VET Provider’s scope or the total enrolments for the VET Provider?
A. The 100 enrolment cap refers to the total number of enrolments that a provider has in all courses on its scope leading to the award of qualifications
under the Australian Qualifications Framework. All providers that have 100 or more such enrolments within an annual financial reporting period will
be required to generate a minimum of 20 per cent of their revenue from a source other than VET FEE-HELP.
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9.5 Does ‘total revenue’ mean revenue generated from courses delivered only or the total revenue of the company as a whole?
A. Total revenue includes all revenue generated by an approved provider. Any company revenue that does not arise as the result of creation of a HELP
debt will be counted toward revenue diversification requirements.
9.6 Does the non-HELP revenue need to be derived from educational activities?
A. No. Any revenue that does not arise as the result of the creation of a HELP debt will count towards the 20 per cent requirement. This may include
state government subsidised training, revenue arising from consultancy work, room or venue hire, interest or dividend earnings, corporate or short
course training activities, donations, the sale of goods, books or services to students or the public, investment income, or any other form of revenue
generating activity.
The department may seek further information in relation to non-HELP revenue where its sources are unclear or where it has been generated solely
via charges made to related persons or entities.
9.7 Does the non-HELP revenue need to be received directly by the provider, or can one of their subsidiaries or “sister companies” be in receipt of
this on their behalf?
A. Non-HELP revenue must be received by the individual legal entity that is approved to offer VET FEE-HELP loans. Revenue received by related entities, or the overall consolidated group of which an approved provider forms part, will not be counted towards the 20 per cent revenue diversification figure.
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Section 10: Remission of VET FEE-HELP Debt
10.1 What is unacceptable conduct?
A. Unacceptable conduct is referred to in Division 2 of Part 6 of the VET Guideline. Examples of unacceptable conduct include, but are not limited to,
publishing information suggesting VET FEE-HELP is not a loan, inappropriate marketing, inappropriate inducements and failure to comply with
student requests.
In cases of unacceptable conduct, the student should raise this conduct directly with the provider or submit details of this to the department for
investigation. The student is required to provide information about how the debt arose and any other circumstances where he or she believes
unacceptable behaviour was involved in their VET FEE-HELP debt. Further information about this process will be outlined on the Study Assist
website.
10.2 How long does a student have to lodge a complaint alleging unacceptable conduct and requesting remission? Can a student raise an issue that
occurred prior to the implementation of the reforms?
A. A student has three years after the period in which they undertook, or were to undertake, the unit to submit an application for re-credit of their
FEE-HELP balance. The amendments apply in relation to unacceptable conduct engaged in on or after 1 January 2016.
10.3 What process will be implemented for the remission of VET FEE-HELP debt during the time taken to develop an online remission application
system?
A. The department will provide the form for students to complete when they are seeking a remission of their VET FEE-HELP debt. Students will be able
to access an online form through the Study Assist website later in 2016. The department will give notice of the launch of the online form.
Page 22 of 22 VET FEE-HELP frequently asked questions for providers last updated 22 July 2016
Section 11: Other questions
11.1 When will the Government eCAF be available?
A. The Government eCAF is due to be launched from 1 January 2017. The eCAF will be the primary way for students to complete a request for
Commonwealth assistance form and in many instances it will replace the paper form. The release of the Government eCAF will not impact existing
requests for Commonwealth assistance, meaning students will not have to reapply. More information about the Government eCAF will be made
available through future editions of the HELP newsletter. To receive the HELP newsletter, please ensure your details are added as a contact in the
HELP IT system (HITS).
11.2 Can an electronic Request for Commonwealth Assistance (eCAF) be printed from the system to enable a student who is under 18 years of age to
have a responsible parent sign the form?
A. Yes. An eCAF may be printed to enable a responsible parent to sign the form for students who are under 18 years of age. However, please note that
the form is not able to be submitted in scanned PDF form. For this reason, the student will need to submit the form electronically with the parent or
guardian’s signature to the VET provider in hard copy.
In addition, please note that the Department of Education and Training is currently developing a Government eCAF for students and providers to
use.
In cases where a parent or guardian’s signature is required, the Government eCAF will require the student to print out their eCAF after submitting it
electronically. The parent or guardian will then need to sign the form and return it, in hard copy, to their provider.
The expected release date of the government eCAF is likely to be 1 January 2017, with an earlier piloting of the system in 2016. Further information
about the project will be made available in the coming HELP newsletters.
11.3 Will the department run information sessions for VET Providers?
A. The department will provide information to stakeholders as it becomes available. The information will be provided on the departmental website
and via the HELP newsletter. The VET Administrative Information for Providers manual will also be updated to provide guidance for providers mid
