Higher Education Legislation Amendment (2006 Budget and Other Measures) Act 2006 (121 of 2006)

Schedule 7   Electronic communications

Higher Education Support Act 2003

1   Sections 174-5, 174-10, 174-15, 174-20 and 174-25

Repeal the sections, substitute:

174-5 Guidelines may deal with electronic communications

(1) The Administration Guidelines may make provision for or in relation to requiring or permitting information or documents to be given by students to higher education providers, or by higher education providers to students, in accordance with particular information technology requirements:

(a) on a particular kind of data storage device; or

(b) by means of a particular kind of electronic communication.

(2) The Administration Guidelines may make provision for or in relation to requiring, in relation to an electronic communication from a student to a higher education provider:

(a) that the communication contain an electronic signature (however described); or

(b) that the communication contain a unique identification in an electronic form; or

(c) that a particular method be used to identify the originator of the communication and to indicate the originator's approval of the information communicated.

(3) The reference in subsection (1) to giving information includes a reference to anything that is giving information for the purposes of section 9 of the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

(4) In this section:

data storage device has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

electronic communication has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

information has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.

information technology requirements has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act 1999.