2024 Higher Education Data Collections

The Australian Government has, subject to the passage of legislation, established a new Pacific engagement visa.

The PEV is a permanent resident visa, and generally permanent resident visa holders are not eligible for HELP. Permanent humanitarian and New Zealand Special Category visa holders are the exception as they are currently eligible to receive HELP (provided they meet all other requirements).

PEV will be referred to as ‘Pacific engagement visa holder’ with HESA. The amendments to HESA will take effect from 1 February 2024, or when the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific) Bill 2023 passes Parliament, whichever is later.

To support the development of sovereign nuclear-related expertise the Australian Government has created 4,000 additional Commonwealth Supported places from 2024-2027. To track the uptake of the program a new code has been added to element 392. This will only apply to providers within the program.

To support student participation in incubator and accelerator programs to drive the creation of new commercial opportunities, the Australian Government has created 2,000 STARTUP-HELP places per year. To track the uptake of the program, new codes have been added to element 310 and 490. For 2024, this change will only apply to providers within the pilot.

The Australian Government is piloting microcredential courses in national priority areas (IT, engineering, sciences, health, and education) to upskill or reskill the workforce and meet the needs of employers and industry. These courses provide access to FEE-HELP loans, credit toward higher education courses and digital badges for students who successfully complete a microcredential. To track uptake of the program and support payment calculations using enrolment data new codes have been added to element 310 and 490. This change will only apply to providers within the pilot.

Glossary terms, additional information and coding notes for elements have also been updated for the 2024 Higher Education data collection requirements. In addition, minor clarifications and corrections to the reporting requirements are outlined within the Higher Education Reporting Requirements 2024 Change Control document.

If you have any queries relating to these reporting requirements please contact TCSIsupport@education.gov.au.