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Category: Legislation
New laws address academic freedom and freedom of speech in higher education
Academic freedom and freedom of speech are a part of laws regulating the higher education sector and academic activities. In March 2021, the Australian Parliament amended the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth) (the HESA) to specify that one of the specific purposes of the higher education sector is “the promotion and protection of freedom […]
Amendments to the University of Adelaide Act
The Statutes Amendment (Universities) Act 2016 (SA) was recently passed by South Australian Parliament and comes into effect today. The purpose of the Act is to improve the governance arrangements for the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.
The 2017 Higher Ed Budget: what you need to know
The Australian Government has announced a number of reforms to the higher education sector which will impact both universities and students. Amendments to the Higher Education Support Act, introduced to Parliament on 11 May 2017, aim to deliver value for money for taxpayers by increasing transparency, sustainability and support for students.
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Keen to be screened in 2017
New legislation passed in November 2016 will set a new standard for working with children. During 2017, areas engaged in activities that involve children should anticipate possible delays in the screening process and be ready to review procedures. Reducing risks to children A new assessment process being implemented by the South Australian Government is intended […]
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Flexible Funding – support for Indigenous student success
Recent amendments to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 will support the new Indigenous Student Success Program commencing 1 January 2017. The Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Act 2016 (Cth) was proclaimed in late November 2016 and establishes a new framework for the administration and funding of support programs for Indigenous students. Guidelines […]
Fair-go contracts for small business
Under Australian Consumer Law, small businesses can now challenge unfair terms in standard form contracts. These new legal protections – which previously applied only to consumer contracts – came into effect on 12 November 2016. If any term in a standard form contract (defined below) is found to be “unfair”, that term would be rendered […]
Hit by the Omnibus – Higher Ed budget cuts through Parliament
The Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016 was assented to on 16 September 2016 and has made a number of amendments to the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA). The Act contains provisions that will affect future funding for the Higher Education sector and tertiary student HELP repayments. From 1 January 2018, the indexation method used to calculate annual increases […]
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Wheeling and False Dealing – new penalties
Changing or falsifying financial records to conceal a bribe is now subject to significant penalties under the Australian Criminal Code. From 1 March 2016, anyone who intentionally or recklessly falsifies an accounting document to conceal an illegitimate payment or gift to a public official may be charged for assisting bribery. Penalties can be up to […]
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