Student Services and Amenities Fees ("VSU")

The following outlines recent developments around student services and amenities in Australian Universities, and the fate of so-called "VSU" legislation.

 

 

2009:  "VSU" Response

 


Announcement of the Student Services and Amenities Bill and associated Guidelines: 

  • Announcement of the Federal Government's Proposed VSU Response
  • Details on the proposed Student Services and Amenities Bill, and CAPA's response (Feb 2009)
  • Details of the original Student Services and Amenities Fee Guidelines, Benchmarks and Protocols for access to services, representation and advocacy, and CAPA's response (Feb 2009)
  • Letter from Minister Ellis in response to concerns expressed by CAPA

 

Senate Inquiry into the Bill:

  • Senate Inquiry into the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities, and Other Measures) Bill 2009 (March 09)
  • CAPA's Submission to the Senate Inquiry
  • Committee hearing transcripts (including CAPA's evidence)
  • Senate Committee Final Report

 

Consultation leading to amendments:

  • Summary of Key Points from CAPA's Submission to the 2009 "VSU" Senate Inquiry
  • Amended Student Services and Amenities Fee Guidelines and Benchmarks and Protocols for Access to Services and Student Representation outlined in the Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines (revised May 09)
  • Hansard of Senator Crossin noting CAPA's support for the Bill (17/08/09; p.4979)
  • Hansard of Senator Xenophon noting CAPA's concerns on the poor reporting and compliance provisions of the Bill, and the importance of postgraduate-specific services and representation (17/08/09; pp.5062-5063)
  • Letter from Minister Kate Ellis to Senator Xenophon responding to concerns about poor reporting and compliance provisions of the Bill. The letter confirms amendments to the Financial Statement Guidelines for requirements on higher education providers to report on the uses of the fee, and for Vice Chancellors to sign off on a Compliance Statement against the Guidelines. 
  • Hansard of Senator Hanson-Young noting CAPA's concerns about the scope of the Fee Guidelines, and the importance of postgraduate-specific services and representation (17/08/09; p.5062)
  • Letter from Minister Ellis to Senator Hanson-Young responding to concerns about poor reporting and compliance provisions of the Bill and the failure of the Guidelines to adequately provide for services and representation for postgraduate and international students.  The letter confirms amendments for the Guidelines to refer to services and representation specifically for postgraduates and international students.

Reintroduction of the Bill to Federal Parliament:

The Bill is currently before the Senate in Federal Parliament.

 

2008:  "VSU" Review


2006 - 2007:  "VSU" Impact


So-called Voluntary student unionism (VSU) came into effect July 1 2006.  Amendments to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (section 19-37) outline that 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.


2005:  Passage of "VSU"


  • The Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Union Fees) ["VSU"] Bill 2005
  • Senate Inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Union Fees) ["VSU"] Bill 2005
  • CAPA's submission to the “VSU” Senate Inquiry, evidence at public hearings, and other submissions to the Inquiry
  • Report from the "VSU" Senate Inquiry

Details on the most recent developments are available via the links below: