The Commonwealth’s Tuition Protection Service has invoiced private HE and VET providers for their respective tuition protection levies

The levies were set under 2020 legislation, but not charged during the pandemic. They include a premium based on the risk of a provider defaulting, an admin fee, and contributions to a kitty to cover a big bust.

It dates from a coalition plan in 2018 (CMM August 17 2018), to expand international student protections to locals, a proposal that a recent review of tuition protection suggested wasn’t necessary.

In April a Commonwealth commissioned review of the Tuition Protection Service by consultants Nous suggested there were grounds “for a differentiated approach” between international and domestic students, who “are on balance less vulnerable … do not face the acute risk of breaching visa conditions; and are arguably better placed to assess the risks and impacts of closure.”

Nous suggested information, not insurance, for locals, “may represent a more proportionate response to the risks and harms faced by domestic students in the current VET environment,” (CMM April 21).

Maybe, but not during this billing period,