Fees for Award Programs and Courses Policy

Overview

Under Commonwealth legislation, the University is required to:

* charge tuition fees for domestic students who are not Commonwealth supported or are not exempt students (with the exception of domestic students enrolled in a higher degree by research)

* charge tuition fees for international students undertaking studies in the University's on-shore award programs (with the exception of students who are studying at the University of Adelaide as part of a formal exchange program, or who are enrolled in a higher degree by research and have been awarded a scholarship for that study on the basis of merit following a competitive application process) and inform international students of course-related fees, including the potential for fees to change

* determine Student Contribution amounts that apply to students enrolled in Commonwealth Supported programs

* ensure that it does not charge fees, except those of a kind that are incidental to studies, to students in Commonwealth Supported Student Places.

To ensure a breadth of postgraduate award program offerings beyond those supported by the Commonwealth, the University charges tuition fees for many of these programs.

The University also charges fees for vocational education and training (VET) programs offered in accord with the Australian Quality Training Framework.

This policy describes the principles and process for setting and charging tuition fees and incidental fees.

Scope and Application

This policy applies in respect of all award programs and courses in the University.

Policy Principles

1. Setting student tuition fees

a) International student tuition fees for on-shore award programs and courses are set according to commercial and strategic considerations but must cover the full cost (as defined in the Commonwealth Government's Higher Education Provider Guidelines) of providing the program to an international student.

b) International student VET fees are set in parity with undergraduate programs in the same or similar disciplines.

c) International student tuition fees for off-shore coursework programs are set in accord with processes agreed with partner institutions.

d) Domestic coursework student undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees are set according to commercial and strategic considerations but are not lower than the Student Contributions that are or would be payable by Commonwealth Supported students for the equivalent program or course, and not higher than international student tuition fees for the equivalent program or course.

e) Domestic student VET fees are set according to commercial and strategic considerations.

f) All student tuition fees are set by academic program, with the following exceptions.

i. For domestic students enrolling in a single course but not an academic program[1], a fee per unit is set for each Faculty

ii. For international students undertaking the Study Abroad Program, there is a single set fee.

g) All the above tuition fees, as well as tuition fee increases and any additional fees which may be charged, are approved annually by the Vice-Chancellor and President on the advice of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic).

h) Student Contribution amounts for Commonwealth Supported students are set at the maximum rate permitted by Commonwealth legislation, but may be reviewed and changed by the Vice-Chancellor and President, on the advice of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), from time to time.

2. Charging tuition fees

a) Tuition fees are charged annually on a pro rata basis according to the student's enrolled load.

b) International postgraduate research students who undertake most or all of their research away from the University are charged 50% of their relevant tuition fee for the duration of their period away.

c) Fees for continuing students may be increased annually up to the limit specified in each student's initial letter of offer.

Compliance provision: Standard 2.1e, ESOS National Code

[For all student-related information on fees, payments, refunds and financial assistance, see the Student Finances framework.]

3. Incidental fees

a) Incidental fees must be applied consistently to domestic and international students.

b) An incidental fee may only be charged when:

a. it is a charge for a good or service that is not essential to the course of study

b. it is a charge for an alternative form, or alternative forms, of access to a good or service that is an essential component of the course of study, but is otherwise made readily available at no additional fee by the University

c. it is a charge for an essential good or service that the student has the choice of acquiring from a supplier other than the University and is for:

i. equipment or items which become the physical property of the student and are not consumed during the course of study; or

ii. food, transport and accommodation costs associated with the provision of field trips that form part of the course of study.

d. it is a fine or a penalty provided it is imposed principally as a disincentive and not in order to raise revenue or cover administrative costs.

Compliance provision. Source: Paragraph 8.5.1, Higher Education Provider Guidelines

c) A fee must not be charged for goods or services provided as a 'reasonable accommodation' to students with disabilities.

Compliance provision: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)

d) Any fee for course materials that includes a reproduction of copyright work (except where the copyright is owned by the University) must reflect production costs only and not include a commercial mark-up.

Compliance provision: Copyright Act 1968(Cth)

[For more on restrictions associated with reproducing copyright material, see the Copyright Policy.]

e) Incidental fees must be approved annually by the Director, Student Administrative Services, before they are charged to students.

[See Incidental fees guidelines for more information.]

Authorities

Key

Authority Category

Authority

Delegation Holder

Limits

Academic

Enrolment & Progression

Approve fees for all University award programs and courses

Vice-Chancellor and President

Academic

Enrolment & Progression

Vary tuition fee charge for an individual student, in exceptional circumstances, on advice of Executive Dean or Dean of Graduate Studies

Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic)

Academic

Enrolment & Progression

Approve Incidental Fees Guidelines

General Manager, Student Services & Administration

Academic

Enrolment & Progression

Approve fees for goods and services which are incidental to studies and permitted under the Fees for Award Programs and Courses Policy

General Manager, Student Services & Administration

Academic

Enrolment & Progression

Approve web-based Student Finances framework

General Manager, Student Services & Administration

Procedures

1. Setting International Tuition fees for all programs

Responsibility: Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), in conjunction with Executive Deans and Dean of Graduate Studies

a) Annually review and recommend international tuition fees, including the maximum annual increases applicable to each year's intake, for the approval of the Vice-Chancellor and President, at least 12 months before the fees come into effect.

2. Setting Domestic Tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs

Responsibility: Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), in conjunction with Executive Deans

a) Annually review and recommend domestic undergraduate and postgraduate coursework tuition fees for the approval of the Vice-Chancellor and President, at least 6 months before the fees come into effect.

3. Setting Domestic Tuition fees for VET programs

Responsibility: Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), in conjunction with relevant Executive Dean and/or Director, Professional and Continuing Education

a) Annually review and recommend tuition fees for VET programs for the approval of the Vice-Chancellor and President, at least 6 months before the fees come into effect.

4. Incidental fees

Responsibility: Executive Deans and Branch Managers

a) Prepare schedule of new fees and fee increases annually and submit to Director, Student Administrative Services, for approval.

Responsibility: General Manager, Student Services & Administration Issue timely request for Faculty schedules of new fees and fee increases annually.

b) Review submitted fees for compliance with this Policy and decide whether to approve.

c) Arrange for approved fee schedules to be published on Student Finances website.



[1] i.e. students enrolling as what is now termed 'non-award students', eg fee-paying cross-institutional students

Date uploaded 26 July 2012


This document is a component of Fees for Award Programs and Courses Policy

Policy Control Information

RMO File No. 2020/2487
Policy custodian Chief Operating Officer
Responsible policy officer Chief Data and Analytics Officer
Endorsed by Vice-Chancellors Executive
Approved by Vice-Chancellor and President
Related Policies Fees for Award Programs and Courses Procedures

Fee Setting Guidelines

Incidental Fee Guidelines

FOE Classification Guidelines

Related legislation Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth)

Higher Education Provider Guidelines 2012

Higher Education Administrative Information for Providers

Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (Cth)

The National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007, Part D, Standard 2.,1

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)

Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)

Superceded Policies Fees for Award Programs and Courses Policy, v. 28 November 2011.
Effective from 21 September 2022
Review Date 20 September 2025
Contact for queries about the policy Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Planning and Analytics, ext. 36300

Please refer to the Policy Directory for the latest version.