Maximum student contribution
The government determines the maximum amount that can be charged for units of study for Commonwealth supported students and the rate at which a Commonwealth Contribution amount is paid for students in a Commonwealth Supported Place. The E392: Maximum contribution code references the related student contribution bands (ACCVAL table) to identify the maximum amount that can be charged. It is also utilised to determine the corresponding Commonwealth contribution rate.
The use of the ‘0’ contribution exempt code has been removed for units with a census date of 1 January 2024 or later. This ensures that the correct Commonwealth Contribution rate can be identified.
Various transitional arrangements have been made for students between 2005 and 2020. All pre-2020 transitional arrangements ceased at the end of 2020. The guidance below covers historical arrangements for units of study with census dates before 2021.
For guidance on reporting census dates from 1 January 2021, please refer to the data element specification for E392: Maximum contribution code.
Revisions to pre-2024 data
1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023
The following code is only to be used for reporting revisions or omissions for census dates between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2023 for students who did not have to pay a student contribution amount.
| Code | Meaning | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Student is student contribution exempt, or is a non-Commonwealth supported student. | This code should be used for students who should not be charged a contribution amount for their unit of study and fee-paying students, including those who access FEE‑HELP to pay their tuition fees. |
Revisions to pre-2021 data
1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020
The following codes are only to be used for reporting revisions or omissions for census dates between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020 for students who commenced their course of study prior to 2010 and undertook a unit of study in the discipline of nursing or teaching.
| Code | Meaning | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Student is student contribution exempt, or is a non-Commonwealth supported student. | This code should be used for students who should not be charged a contribution amount for their unit of study and fee-paying students, including those who access FEE‑HELP to pay their tuition fees. |
| 5 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for students who began their course of study on or after 1 January 2009 and prior to 2010. | This code includes students who started their studies in 2009 and who meet the eligibility requirements for the lower contribution amounts for nursing or teaching units of study. |
1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012
The following codes are only to be used for reporting revisions or omissions to student records where the census date for the unit is from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012.
| Code | Meaning | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Student is student contribution exempt, or is a non-Commonwealth supported student. | This code should be used for students who should not be charged a contribution amount for their unit of study and fee-paying students, including those who access FEE‑HELP to pay their tuition fees. |
| 3 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for students who began their course of study on or after 1 January 2008 and prior to 1 January 2009. | Students coded to this value are required to pay the new contribution amounts for business/accounting units of study introduced from 1 January 2008. |
| 4 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for students who began their course of study prior to 1 January 2008. | This code includes pre‑2005 students following the end of transitional arrangements and students who meet the eligibility requirements for pre‑2008 contribution amounts for their business/ accounting units of study. |
| 5 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for students who began their course of study on or after 1 January 2009 prior to 2010. | This code includes all students starting their studies in 2009 and students who meet the eligibility requirements for the lower contribution amounts for their maths/ science units of study (introduced from 1 January 2009 and prior to 1 January 2010). |
| 6 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for students who began their course of study on or after 1 January 2010 and prior to 1 January 2013. | This code includes all students starting their studies from 1 January 2010 and prior to 1 January 2013. Commencing students undertaking nursing and teaching units of study are required to pay the new Band 1 contribution amounts introduced from 1 January 2010 (previously National Priority). |
Pre‑2008 students
The following codes are only to be used for reporting revisions or omissions to student records where the census date for the unit is from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007.
| Code | Meaning | Clarification |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Student is contribution exempt; or Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for pre‑2005 HECS students who began their course of study before 1 January 1997 |
Students coded to this value are required to pay the contribution amounts for units of study introduced prior to 1 January 1997 or are contribution exempt. |
| 1 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for pre‑2005 HECS students who began their course of study on 1 January 1997 but before 1 January 2005 | Students coded to this value are required to pay the contribution amounts for units of study on 1 January 1997 and prior to 1 January 2005. |
| 2 | Student contribution has been calculated using the maximum for students who began their course of study on 1 January 2005 but prior to 1 January 2008 | Students coded to this value are required to pay the contribution amounts for units of study on 1 January 2005 and prior to 1 January 2008 |