Support for Students Policy frequently asked questions

Support for Students Policy

Why did the Government introduce the Support for Students Policy?

The Government has removed the 50 per cent pass rate rule, as recommended as a priority action in the Australian Universities Accord Report. The Australian Universities Accord Report found that the practical effect of this requirement has fallen disproportionately on students from First Nations, students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds, and other underrepresented or educationally disadvantaged cohorts.

In place of the 50 per cent pass rate requirements, the Australian Government introduced the Support for Students Policy, which strengthened requirements under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) (Section 19-43) for supporting students at risk of non-completion of one or more units of study.

The Government acknowledges the value of the good student support policy and practice already in the sector. These requirements will further strengthen this policy and practice.

What is a Support for Students Policy?

The Support for Students Policy requires eligible higher education providers to ensure provision of appropriate, sufficient and effective services to support students at risk of not completing one or more units of study by requiring providers have, comply with and report annually on the implementation of their Support for Students Policy.

A provider’s Support for Students Policy must describe both how the provider identifies students at risk of not successfully completing their units of study and what support is available to help students succeed.

Which providers are required to have a Support for Students Policy?

The Support for Students Policy requirements apply to all higher education providers approved under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA).

How is a student’s privacy protected where a provider is required to report on their Support for Students Policy?

The Higher Education Provider Guidelines 2023 (the Guidelines) require that a provider’s report on their Support for Students Policy contains de-identified data. De-identified is defined to have the same meaning as the Privacy Act and means information that is no longer about an identifiable individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. The Guidelines do not require a provider to report on individual students.

What consideration is the department giving to the size, scope and demographics of providers? Will the same requirements be expected of all providers?

The department expects providers to have appropriate student supports in place, relevant to their particular context. A degree of flexibility in the requirements will reflect the diversity of the sector.

What is the department’s approach to compliance?

The department understands that a transition period will be necessary and acknowledges most providers will already be undertaking good practise in delivering student supports.

The department will use a cooperative, assurance-oriented approach to compliance with a focus on education and engagement with higher education providers. This cooperative approach ensures compliance risks are addressed quickly and fosters an environment of continuous improvement.

Reporting requirements

When is the first annual report due?

The 2024 report is due for submission to the department on or before 1 March 2025.

What is the reporting period?

The 2024 reporting period runs from 1 April to 31 December 2024.

For future years, the reporting period will start from 1 January of the reporting year and conclude 31 December of the same year.

How do I submit the 2024 report?

The 2024 report must be submitted using the link provided by the department. The submission link is included in an email sent by the department to higher education providers.

If you have not received or cannot find the submission link, please contact supportforstudents@education.gov.au.

Can I get an extension?

If you are concerned that you may not be able to submit your report on or before 1 March 2025, please contact the department to discuss available options. Decisions on deadline extensions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Please email the department on supportforstudents@education.gov.au in the first instance.

What happens if I do not submit a report? 

Engagement is a critical part of the department’s approach to managing compliance with the Support for Students Policy. The department is taking a collaborative approach, focusing on engagement and education with providers in the first instance. Should a provider choose not to engage in this collaborative approach, the department can use enforcement powers, however, enforcement is reserved for serious noncompliance. 

The department’s intention is that more significant compliance action will only be considered in the unlikely event that serious and systemic issues are identified during this period. 

Can I claim funding to assist with the cost of producing this submission? 

There is no funding available from the department to assist with the submission of this report. 

I have misplaced or I am having issues with the reporting template. Help! 

If you are experiencing any technical issues or have misplaced your email with the reporting template, you can contact the department on supportforstudents@education.gov.au. 

The department will be holding a series of Q&A sessions for providers, to clarify reporting requirements. These sessions will be held online, with dates forthcoming. 

Who completes the report and signs the submission? 

There is no one authoritative officer that is required to sign and submit a providers Support for Students Policy Report. The department recommends that the officer responsible for the implementation and oversight of the provider’s Support for Students Policy sign the documentation. 

How do you complete the reporting? 

The department distributed a Reporting Pack to providers in early November 2024. This pack includes a report template, instructions and submission details. If you have not received the pack and feel that you should have, please contact the department on supportforstudents@education.gov.au. 

What if I still need help?

If you have questions, please email the department on: supportforstudents@education.gov.au.