Expansion of the Tuition Protection Service (TPS)

The new tuition assurance arrangements for non-university higher education providers (NUHEPs) offering FEE-HELP and the VET Student Loans (VSL) program, which will commence on 1 January 2019 subject to the passage of legislation.

The Australian Government has made the decision to expand the Tuition Protection Service (TPS), for international students, to the NUHEP FEE-HELP and VSL programs. The current TPS arrangement will continue as a dedicated service for international students, with its own quarantined account and the same protections and support through placements and refunds. TPS levy arrangements will remain unchanged.

The new model will ensure students, providers and the higher education and training sectors are supported if a provider ceases a course or closes. Providers will be required to pay levies commensurate with their size and risk factors.

Information on the new model will be made available on the department’s website. Consistent with the TPS, the new arrangements will be managed by a statutory appointed Director, who will be supported by an independent Advisory Board. The Director will be the same person as the TPS Director.

The new arrangements do not extend to any other tuition assurance schemes in place for students who pre-pay fees, for example, the tuition assurance requirements under the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or the Higher Education Standards Framework 2015.

If you would like further information, the department’s website is being updated with relevant questions and answers, or you can contact the department at:

TPS (International Students): operations@tps.gov.au

FEE-HELP: FEE-HELPTuitionAssurance@education.gov.au

VET FEE-HELP and VET Student Loans: VETTuitionAssurance@education.gov.au.