VET Student Loans Act 2016

VET student loans are approved by the Secretary for eligible students for approved courses.

VET student loans are used by the Secretary to pay tuition fees for students.

If the Secretary uses a loan amount to pay tuition fees, the student incurs a VETSL debt. These debts are generally repayable through the tax system once the person ' s income exceeds the minimum repayment income under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and the person has finished repaying any debt under that Act.

In certain circumstances the course provider, instead of the student, must repay a loan amount. This includes circumstances in which the student ' s HELP balance may be re-credited.

For a course to be an approved course, the course provider must have been approved by the Secretary. The Secretary is able to take action to ensure that approved course providers are complying with this Act.

Part 5 sets out requirements to be met by approved course providers, and includes civil penalty and offence provisions.

Part 5A sets out arrangements relating to tuition protection.

Part 5B establishes the VSL Tuition Protection Fund, the office of the VSL Tuition Protection Director and the VSL Tuition Protection Fund Advisory Board.

Certain decisions relating to VET student loans, approval of course providers, and assessments involving repayment of VETSL debts, are reviewable.

The Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions) Act 2014 applies for the purposes of this Act.

The use and disclosure of information is regulated.

Rules can be made under this Act.