Commonwealth Supported Students

The Australian Government introduced the Job ready Graduate package (JRGP) in 2021. The legislation changes the requirements you need to meet to receive Government support, including access to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and the Higher Educations Loan Program (ie HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP).

A new requirement that is being implemented in 2022 as part of the JRGP is the low completion rate.

What is a low completion rate?

A low completion rate is when you have a fail rate of more than 50% of the subjects you have attempted, after you have attempted either;

• 8 (eight) or more subjects in a bachelor level or higher program, or,
• 4 (four) or more subjects in a higher education program lower than a bachelor program).

These changes only apply to commencing students from 1 January 2022 and continuing students who have transferred to a new program from 1 January 2022.

These changes also apply only to you if you are receiving Commonwealth Assistance through enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and/or receiving HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

This requirement does not apply to fee-paying international students.

Who does low completion apply to?

The low completion rate criteria applies to:

• All students accessing Commonwealth Supported Places (ie all undergraduate domestic students at Western) including those eligible for HECS-HELP; and/or
• Domestic Fee Paying students accessing FEE-HELP; and
• Those who commence or transfer into in a new program from 1 January 2022 (i.e. it does not apply to students who enrolled in their current program prior to 1 January 2022).

The low completion rate applies within a program, meaning that if a student transfers to a new program their low completion rate will reset for the new program only. If a student is enrolled in two programs and has a low completion rate in one of them, their other program is not affected. 
Where a student withdraws from a subject on or before census date, the subject will not count towards the student’s completion rate.

What is the purpose of the low completion requirement?

The purpose of this legislation is to prevent students from incurring a large amount of HELP debt that they will need to repay in the future, for studies they are either unsuited for or are not progressing well in.

What happens if I have a low completion rate?

If you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) you will lose access to your Commonwealth Supported Place and HECS-HELP if you have a low completion rate. You will be discontinued from the program (including all subjects you are registered in), meaning you can no longer study in that program.  If you are enrolled in a full Fee- paying place and have a low completion rate, you will be able to continue in the program but you will not be able to access FEE-HELP for that program. You also have the option of applying to study a different Full Fee paying program at Western and access FEE-HELP for the new program.

How will I know I have a low completion rate?

A low completion rate can only be calculated once you have completed the minimum subjects required. You can calculate your completion rate by looking at the subjects you’ve completed (from 2022 onwards). If you have failed more than half of those subjects you will be considered to have a low completion rate. We will notify you via your student email if you are identified as having a low completion rate.

What are my options if I have a low completion rate?

If you have a low completion rate and have been discontinued from your Commonwealth Supported Place you can apply to study a different program at Western, or at another institution. If you apply to study a different program, your previous completion rate will not carry over to the new program and you will able to access Commonwealth assistance for your new program.

If you have a low completion rate as a full fee paying student you can either continue in the program and pay upfront (i.e. you won’t be able to defer to FEE-HELP) or you can apply to study a different program. If you apply to study a different program and you receive an offer, your previous completion rate will not carry over to the new program and you will be able to access Commonwealth assistance for your new program.

Note: You cannot just change stream, major or specialisation within the same program. You must apply for a new program with a new program code.

If you experienced extenuating circumstances that impacted your studies and led to the low completion rate for your subjects in the prior 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for withdrawal without academic penalty. Student who are successful in their withdrawal without academic penalty will receive a W grade for the relevant subjects. W grades are not counted in the calculation of low completion rate.

If you wish to have your extenuating circumstances considered in order to remain in your CSP and/or be HELP eligible you must be approved for a W grade at least 1 week prior to the start of term.

When will I be assessed for low completion?

Low completion rates will be assessed at the end of each term after results have been released.

What grades will count towards my completion rate?

Subjects completed from 2022 onwards will count towards the completion rate calculation.

If 50% or more of your grades are any of the following you will be considered to have a low completion rate.

*After you have attempted

• 8 (eight) or more subjects in a bachelor level or higher program, or, 
• 4 (four) or more subjects in a higher education program lower than a bachelor program.

What if I improve my results? Can I return to the original program of study?

If you improve your completion rate in your new program you can request to have your completion reviewed and request to be returned to your previous program of study.

The Australian Government has introduced new “professional pathways” for psychology and social work (including youth work, counselling and community work) degrees, from 2021.

What is a professional pathway degree?

Professional pathway degrees are those degrees in psychology and social work that are accredited by an accrediting body and lead to professional employment.

A Professional Pathway Psychology degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

A Professional Pathway Social Work degree is accredited by the:

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Youth Workers’ Association (YWA)

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and/or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

The professional pathway will mean the student contribution for subjects in Behavioural Science (within degrees in psychology) or Human Welfare Studies and Services (within degrees in social work, youth work, counselling and community work) will be $7,950 per EFTSL ($993 per subject) in 2021. If not for the Pathways they would have been $14,500 ($1812 per subject). 

The rates of relevant subjects in professional pathway degrees are only applicable to commencing students from 2021. Continuing students in these degrees will be grandfathered, meaning they continue to pay the pre-2021 subject rates, $6,804 per EFTSL ($850 per subject).

Bachelor of Arts with Key Program in Psychology DOES NOT qualify as a Pathway since students can choose other paths through the degree.

What are the Western Sydney professional pathway degrees?