Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2008
Higher Education Support Act 2003
I, KIM CARR, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, pursuant to section 238-10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 ("the Act"), revoke the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (05/09/2005) dated 5 September 2005 and all subsequent amendments insofar as they relate to the portfolio responsibilities specified in the Administrative Arrangements Orders dated 25 January 2008, in particular, section section 46-10(b) of the Act, and make the attached Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2008 for the purposes of section 46-20 of the Act.
Dated 11 November 2008
KIM CARR
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Guidelines
These Guidelines may be cited as the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2008.
2 Commencement
These Guidelines commence on the day after they are registered.
3 Authority
These Guidelines are made under section 238‑10 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 for the purposes of Part 2‑4 of the Act, insofar as they relate to the portfolio responsibilities specified in the Administrative Arrangements Orders dated 25 January 2008.
4 Revocation
The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (05/09/2005), dated 5 September 2005, and all subsequent amendments in relation to section 46-10(b) of the Act are revoked.
5 Transitional Arrangements
The revocation of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (05/09/2005), dated 5 September 2005, does not affect the validity of a payment or decision made under those guidelines.
A decision made under those guidelines is taken to continue to have effect as if it were made under these Guidelines.
Part 2 COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS GUIDELINES (RESEARCH) 2008
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Higher Education Support Act 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS page
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION. 5
1.1 PURPOSE. 5
1.5 INTERPRETATION. 5
CHAPTER 2 AUSTRALIAN POSTGRADUATE AWARDS. 7
2.1 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. 7
2.1.1 Description of Scholarship. 7
2.1.5 Class of Commonwealth Scholarship. 7
2.5 GRANTS. 7
2.5.1 Total Grant Amounts and Indexation. 7
2.5.5 How Grant Amounts are to be Determined. 7
2.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 9
2.10.1 Basic Eligibility Requirements. 9
2.10.5 Equivalent Attainment to a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours. 10
2.10.10 Approval of a Part-time APA. 10
2.15 APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESSES AND POLICIES. 10
2.15.1 Applications. 10
2.15.5 Selection Policy. 11
2.15.10 Offer Process. 11
2.20 PAYMENTS TO STUDENTS. 11
2.20.1 Value of Scholarships and Indexation Arrangements. 11
2.20.5 Relocation Allowance. 12
2.20.10 Thesis Allowance. 12
2.20.15 Duration of an APA.. 12
2.25 CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP. 13
2.25.1 Ongoing Eligibility. 13
2.25.5 Suspensions. 13
2.25.10 Transfer to another Provider 13
2.25.15 Conversion of Degrees. 13
2.25.20 Leave Entitlements. 13
2.25.25 Work. 14
2.25.30 Termination of an APA.. 14
2.30 MISCELLANEOUS. 15
2.30.1 Supervision and Facilities. 15
CHAPTER 3 INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS. 16
3.1 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. 16
3.1.1 Description of Scholarship. 16
3.1.5 Class of Commonwealth Scholarship. 16
3.5 GRANTS. 16
3.5.1 Total Grant Amounts and Indexation. 16
3.5.5 How Grant Amounts are to be Determined. 16
3.5.8 Exclusion of Eligible Providers from IPRS allocation. 20
3.15 APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESS AND POLICIES. 20
3.15.1 Applications. 20
3.15.5 Selection Policy. 21
3.15.10 Offer Process. 21
3.20 USING THE GRANT AMOUNTS. 21
3.20.1 Value of Scholarship. 21
3.20.5 Non-commencements and Withdrawals. 22
3.20.10 Duration of an IPRS. 22
3.25 CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP. 22
3.30 MISCELLANEOUS. 24
3.30.1 Supervision and Facilities. 24
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE
The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide for Commonwealth Scholarships under section 46‑20 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (the Act).
1.5 INTERPRETATION
1.5.1 Unless the contrary intention appears, the terms used in these Guidelines have the same meaning as in the Act.
1.5.5 In these Guidelines, unless the contrary intention appears:
the Act means the Higher Education Support Act 2003
Administering Provider is the higher education provider that is administering the scholarship on behalf of the Commonwealth Government
APA means an Australian Postgraduate Award as outlined at Chapter 2 of these Guidelines
CTS means the Commercialisation Training Scheme
DEEWR means the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
DIISR means the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
DIAC means the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship
IPRS means an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, as outlined at Chapter 3 of these Guidelines and supersedes the former Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarships program
Full-time student load in respect of a scholarship, is at least 75% of an equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL) in the scholarship period for which the scholarship is being paid
HDR means a Higher Degree by Research which is a Doctorate or Masters course for which at least two-thirds of the student load for the course is required as research work
provider means a higher education provider
Research Doctorate has the meaning as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework
Research Masters has the meaning as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework
suspension in respect of a scholarship, means a period of time during which a scholarship holder is not receiving scholarship payments
1.5.10 Any reference to a part, division or section of the Act is a reference to that part, division or section as in force from time to time.
1.5.15 Terms used in these Guidelines that are in italics have the meaning stated in paragraph 1.5.5 of these Guidelines.
CHAPTER 2 AUSTRALIAN POSTGRADUATE AWARDS
2.1 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
2.1.1 Description of Scholarship
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional research potential undertaking a Higher Degree by Research (HDR). APAs are provided to assist with general living costs.
2.1.5 Class of Commonwealth Scholarship
APAs are postgraduate research scholarships, in accordance with paragraph 46-10(b) of the Act.
2.5 GRANTS
2.5.1 Total Grant Amounts and Indexation
The Total Grant Amount will be the amount available to DIISR for APAs for the new year.
2.5.5 How Grant Amounts are to be Determined
Calculate number of new APAs
(1) Providers’ new year APA places will be determined according to the total APA places available for the new year multiplied by each provider's share of the APA performance index which includes all eligible providers and is calculated according to 2.5.5 (2)
(2) The APA performance index
The APA performance index is a list of the relative performances of a group of providers defined for a particular purpose.
The relative performances are expressed as a percentage of the sum of all performances within the defined group. Each provider’s percentage is known as a share.
A share is the sum of three performance components after each has been multiplied by a proportioning factor:
· HDR student completions performance has a proportioning factor of 0.5
· Research Income performance has a proportioning factor of 0.4
· Research Publications performance has a proportioning factor of 0.1
HDR student completions performance
HDR student completions performance for a provider is equal to a provider’s weighted completions divided by total weighted completions of a defined group of providers.
Weighted student completions equals the sum of all categories of completions after each has been multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
· Doctorate degree by research has a weighting factor of 2;
· Masters degree by research has a weighting factor of 1.
Each category of data is the average of the most recent two years for which data is available and is sourced from the Higher Education Student Data Collection.
Research income performance
Research income performance for a provider is equal to a provider’s weighted research income divided by total weighted research income of a defined group of providers.
Weighted research income equals the sum of all categories of research income after each has been multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
· Australian Competitive Grants Income has a weighting factor of 1;
· Other Public Sector Research Income has a weighting factor of 1;
· Industry and Other Research Income has a weighting factor of 1;
· Cooperative Research Centres Research Income has a weighting factor of 1.
Each category of data is the average of the most recent two years for which data is available and is sourced from the Higher Education Research Data Collection.
Research publications performance
Research publications performance for a provider is equal to a provider’s weighted research publications divided by total weighted research publications of a defined group of providers.
Weighted research publications equals the sum of all categories of research publications after each has been multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
· Books have a weighting factor of 5 ;
· Book chapters have a weighting factor of 1;
· Journal articles have a weighting factor of 1;
· Conference papers have a weighting factor of 1.
Each category of data is the average of the most recent two years for which data is available and is sourced from the Higher Education Research Data Collection.
(3) Where the formula results in less than one but more than zero new APAs for a provider, a default of one APA is awarded to that provider.
(4) For all other providers, their allocation of new APAs is rounded down to the next whole number. The difference between a provider’s rounded and unrounded number of new APA places is the remainder. The sum of all remainders is the unallocated number of new APA places for the new year.
(5) Each provider’s remainder is ranked in descending order based on its remainder’s closeness to one. One place is assigned to each provider according to its ranking until all unallocated new places are exhausted.
Calculate new year grant amounts
(6) The amount of APA grant payable to an eligible scholarship provider under section 46-15(2) of the Act for the new year will be determined using the number of new APAs allocated to the provider for that year and the previous three years.
(7) The amount of APA grant paid to a provider for a new year is the sum of the following amounts:
(a) the number of new APAs allocated to the provider for that year multiplied by [SR* + $375 (relocation component)];
(b) the number of new APAs allocated to the provider for the year prior to that year multiplied by (SR x 0.9);
(c) the number of new APAs allocated to the provider for the year two years prior to that year multiplied by (SR x 0.75); and
(d) the number of new APAs allocated to the provider for the year three years prior to that year multiplied by [(SR x 0.4[1]) + $750 (thesis component)].
* SR is the stipend rate for a full-time student for the current year as specified in paragraph 2.20.1(a) of these Guidelines.
(8) For the purpose of (7)(b), (c) and (d), the number of new APAs allocated to the provider for each of the three previous years is the number approved by the Minister for those years.
2.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
2.10.1 Basic Eligibility Requirements
(1) To be eligible for an APA, a student must:
(a) have completed a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours, or be regarded by the provider as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with paragraph 2.10.5 of these Guidelines; and
(b) be undertaking a HDR; and
(c) be enrolled as a full-time student, unless the provider has approved a part-time APA for the student under paragraph 2.10.10 of these Guidelines; and
(d) be a domestic student, as defined in the Act; and
(e) if undertaking:
(i) a Research Masters, not hold a Research Doctorate or a Research Masters degree or an equivalent research qualification; or
(ii) if undertaking a Research Doctorate, not hold a Research Doctorate degree or an equivalent research qualification; and
(f) must not previously have held a Commonwealth-funded postgraduate research scholarship (excluding an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship or its predecessor, Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship), unless it was terminated within six months of the scholarship’s payments commencing; and
(g) must not be receiving an equivalent award, scholarship or salary providing a benefit greater than 75% of the APA stipend rate to undertake the HDR. Income earned from sources unrelated to the course of study is not subject to the 75% rule.
2.10.5 Equivalent Attainment to a Bachelor Degree with First Class Honours
If a student does not hold a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours, then the provider may determine that the student has demonstrated an equivalent level of academic attainment. In determining an equivalent level of academic attainment, a provider may consider previous study, relevant work experience, research publications, referees’ reports and other research experience.
2.10.10 Approval of a Part-time APA
(1) A provider may approve a part-time APA for a student only if:
(a) the student has exceptional circumstances; or
(b) the student is undertaking Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS) training as specified in Chapter 2 of the Other Grants Guidelines (Research 2008) concurrently with the HDR.
(2) For the purpose of paragraph 2.10.10(1) (a), the provider must be satisfied that the exceptional circumstances relate to significant caring commitments or a medical condition which limits the student’s capacity to undertake full-time study.
(3) A student who has a part-time APA may revert to full-time study at any time with the permission of the provider.
2.15 APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESSES AND POLICIES
A provider is responsible for the APA application, selection and offer processes and must make information about the processes, policies and conditions of scholarship readily and publicly available.
2.15.1 Applications
(1) Eligible scholarship providers must conduct a competitive application process for awarding APAs.
(2) Applications for APAs must be submitted in the form approved and by the date determined by the eligible scholarship provider.
(3) Eligible scholarship providers must include the following statement on the application form, immediately prior to the applicant’s signature block: “Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code (Commonwealth).”
2.15.5 Selection Policy
A provider must maintain an APA selection policy which accords with these Guidelines and the fairness requirements in Subdivision 19-D of Part 2-1 of the Act. A provider must select students for an APA in accordance with the policy.
2.15.10 Offer Process
(1) A provider must offer as many APAs as it can support through its APA grant, taking into account any roll-over of grant amounts as provided for in section 46-35 of the Act and liabilities arising from additional scholarship offers, relocation and thesis allowances, paid leave provisions and extensions or suspensions of APAs approved by the provider. The provider is responsible for managing these liabilities.
(2) A provider must only offer a student an APA as a result of:
(a) an application lodged as part of a competitive application process; or
(b) the provider agreeing to continue an APA for a student who is already in receipt of an APA and is transferring from another provider under paragraph 2.25.10 of these Guidelines.
(3) A provider must offer an APA to a student in writing and advise the student in writing of the assistance to which they are entitled and the conditions of the APA.
2.20 PAYMENTS TO STUDENTS
(1) A provider must spend APA grant amounts only on the making of APA payments to students awarded an APA who are undertaking their HDR with the provider.
(2) Each year, a provider must pay each student the full value of their APA stipend unless that student has commenced late or suspended their APA or the APA has been terminated. Where a student is not enrolled over the full period of the year, because of a late commencement or periods of suspension, the provider must pay at least the proportion of the annual stipend for the period in which study is undertaken for that year.
(3) A provider must make fortnightly payments to students in respect of their annual stipend. Payments must be made directly to students.
2.20.1 Value of Scholarships and Indexation Arrangements
(1) DIISR will advise providers in writing of the value of the full-time and part-time APA stipend rates for a year by 1 October of the preceding year.
(2) The full-time APA stipend rate for any particular year may be the same as that for the preceding year, indexed in accordance with the method set out in Part 5-6 of the Act, or it may be a different amount, as determined by the Minister.
2.20.5 Relocation Allowance
Students may be eligible for a relocation allowance in addition to the annual stipend for the cost of relocating themselves, their spouse and dependants to a new place of residence where this is necessary to enable the student to undertake the HDR. A provider must maintain and apply its relocation allowance policy. A claim for relocation allowance is assessed against a provider’s relocation allowance policy.
2.20.10 Thesis Allowance
Students may be eligible for a thesis allowance in addition to the annual stipend for the cost of producing a Masters thesis or Doctorate thesis. A provider must maintain and apply its thesis allowance policy. A claim for thesis allowance is assessed against a provider’s thesis allowance policy.
2.20.15 Duration of an APA
(1) The duration of a full-time APA is three years for a student undertaking Research Doctorate studies, and two years for a student undertaking Research Masters studies. The duration of a part-time APA is six years for Research Doctorate studies and four years for Research Masters studies.
(2) The duration of an APA will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken:
(a) towards the degree prior to the commencement of the APA; or
(b) towards the degree during suspension of the APA (unless the study was undertaken as part of an Commonwealth Government financially supported international postgraduate research scholarship or award); or
(c) previously while receiving an Australian Postgraduate Coursework Award.
(3) The duration of an APA will be increased by any periods of paid leave approved by the provider.
(4) A provider may also approve an extension to the duration of an APA for a Research Doctorate student of up to six months provided the student is making satisfactory progress and the grounds for the extension relate to the study and are beyond the control of the student. A provider must not approve an extension to the duration of an APA for a Research Masters student.
(5) If a part-time APA is converted to a full-time APA then the period of time that the student is regarded as having been in receipt of the part-time APA immediately prior to the conversion will be halved for the purpose of determining the duration the student is regarded as having been in receipt of a full-time APA immediately after conversion.
(6) If a full-time APA is converted to a part-time APA then the period of time that the student is regarded as having been in receipt of the full-time APA immediately prior to the conversion will be doubled for the purpose of determining the duration the student is regarded as having been in receipt of a part-time APA immediately after conversion.
2.25 CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP
2.25.1 Ongoing Eligibility
The provider must monitor students’ ongoing eligibility to ensure that each student continues to meet the eligibility requirements set out in paragraph 2.10 of these Guidelines.
2.25.5 Suspensions
Students may apply to their provider for a suspension of their APA. The approval of suspensions will be at the discretion of the provider.
2.25.10 Transfer to another Provider
Students who transfer to another provider may continue to receive their APA only if their new provider agrees to its continuation and subject to the new provider having sufficient APA grant amounts of its own available. The new provider must ensure that it has received information from the former provider on any APA payment the student has received and the duration of the APA already consumed.
2.25.15 Conversion of Degrees
(1) Students may convert from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or from a Research Doctorate degree to a Research Masters degree, and continue to receive their APA.
(2) A student who completes a Research Masters degree may continue to receive their APA for a Research Doctorate degree provided there is no interval between the completion of the Research Masters and the commencement of the Research Doctorate degree, or that such an interval is covered by suspension of the APA.
(3) The maximum duration of a converted APA becomes that for the new research degree minus periods of study undertaken towards the related degree prior to the conversion.
2.25.20 Leave Entitlements
(1) Students are entitled to receive up to 20 working days paid recreation leave and ten working days paid sick leave for each year of the APA. These leave entitlements may be accrued over the life of the APA but will be forfeited when the APA is terminated.
(2) Students are entitled to receive additional paid sick leave of up to a total of 12 weeks during the duration of the APA for periods of illness lasting longer than ten days for which a medical certificate has been provided.
(3) Sick leave entitlements (including additional sick leave) may also be used to cover leave for students with family caring responsibilities, subject to the usual practice of the provider.
(4) Students who have completed 12 months of their APA are entitled to a maximum of 12 weeks paid maternity leave during the duration of the APA. Subject to the usual practice of the provider, paid leave may also be approved if the student has adopted a child.
(5) Students who are partners of women giving birth during an APA and who have completed 12 months of their APA, may be entitled to a period of paid parenting leave at the time of the birth or adoption, subject to the usual practice of the provider.
2.25.25 Work
Students may undertake work outside the HDR subject to the approval of their provider. The provider may not approve a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not interfere with the student’s study for their HDR.
2.25.30 Termination of an APA
(1) A provider must terminate an APA:
(a) if the student ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified in paragraph 2.10 of these Guidelines, other than during a period in which the APA has been suspended or during a period of leave in accordance with paragraph 2.25.20 of these Guidelines
(b) when the student ceases to be a full-time student and approval has not been obtained from the provider to hold the APA on a part-time basis; or
(c) when the student completes the course of study, unless completing a Research Masters degree and undertaking Research Doctorate studies under paragraph 2.25.15(2) of these Guidelines; or
(d) if the provider determines that:
(i) the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the offer of the APA; or
(ii) the student has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress; or
(iii) the student has committed serious misconduct, including, but not
limited to the provision of false or misleading information in terms of
paragraph 2.25.35.
(2) If an APA is terminated, it cannot be re-activated unless the termination occurred in error.
2.25.35 Provision of False or Misleading Information
(1) If a provider knows or has reason to believe that a student in receipt of an APA has provided false or misleading information to the provider in relation to the APA, the provider must immediately:
(a) re-assess the student’s entitlement to the APA; and
(b) notify DIISR of the suspected offence and provide a copy of the student’s application and any other relevant information requested by DIISR.
2.30 MISCELLANEOUS
2.30.1 Supervision and Facilities
(1) A provider must:
(a) ensure that adequate facilities and appropriate supervision are available for each student undertaking a HDR; and
(b) establish, make publicly available, and abide by, a code of supervisory practice for students undertaking a HDR.
CHAPTER 3 INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS
3.1 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
3.1.1 Description of Scholarship
(1) The International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) program was established to maintain and develop international research linkages and specifically aims to:
(a) attract top quality international postgraduate students to areas of research strength in the Australian higher education sector; and
(b) support Australia's research effort.
3.1.5 Class of Commonwealth Scholarship
IPRS are postgraduate research scholarships, in accordance with paragraph 46-10(b) of the Act.
3.5 GRANTS
3.5.1 Total Grant Amounts and Indexation
The Total Grant Amount will be the amount available to DIISR for IPRS for the new year.
3.5.5 How Grant Amounts are to be Determined
(1) Providers’ new year allocation of notional IPRS places will be determined according to the total notional IPRS places available for the new year multiplied by each provider's share of the IPRS performance index which includes all eligible providers, subject to provisions under section 3.5.8, and is calculated according to 3.5.5 (2)
(2) The IPRS performance index
The IPRS performance index is a list of the relative performances of a group of providers defined for a particular purpose.
The relative performances are expressed as a percentage of the sum of all performances within the defined group. Each provider’s percentage is known as a share.
A share is the sum of three performance components after each has been multiplied by a proportioning factor:
· HDR student completions performance has a proportioning factor of 0.5
· Research Income performance has a proportioning factor of 0.4
· Research Publications performance has a proportioning factor of 0.1
HDR student completions performance
HDR student completions performance for a provider is equal to a provider’s weighted completions divided by total weighted completions of a defined group of providers.
Weighted completions equals the sum of all categories of completions after each has been multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
· Doctorate degree by research has a weighting factor of 2;
· Masters degree by research has a weighting factor of 1.
Each category of data is the average of the most recent two years for which data is available and is sourced from the Higher Education Student Data Collection.
Research income performance
Research income performance for a provider is equal to a provider’s weighted research income divided by total weighted Research income of a defined group of providers.
Weighted research income equals the sum of all categories of research income after each has been multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
· Australian Competitive Grants Income has a weighting factor of 1;
· Other Public Sector Research Income has a weighting factor of 1;
· Industry and Other Research Income has a weighting factor of 1;
· Cooperative Research Centres Research Income has a weighting factor of 1.
Each category of data is the average of the most recent two years for which data is available and is sourced from the Higher Education Research Data Collection.
Research publications performance
Research publications performance for a provider is equal to a provider’s weighted research publications divided by total weighted Research publications of a defined group of providers.
Weighted research publications equals the sum of all categories of research publications after each has been multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
· Books have a weighting factor of 5 ;
· Book chapters have a weighting factor of 1;
· Journal articles have a weighting factor of 1;
· Conference papers have a weighting factor of 1.
Each category of data is the average of the most recent two years for which data is available and is sourced from the Higher Education Research Data Collection.
(3) Where the formula results in less than one but more than zero new IPRS for a provider, a default of one IPRS is awarded to that provider.
(4) For all other providers, their allocation of new IPRS is rounded down to the next whole number. The difference between a provider’s rounded and unrounded number of new IPRS places is the remainder. The sum of all remainders is the unallocated number of new IPRS places for the new year.
(5) Each provider’s remainder is ranked in descending order based on its remainder’s closeness to one. One place is assigned to each provider according to its ranking until all unallocated new places are exhausted.
(6) The amount of IPRS grant paid to an eligible scholarship provider under subsection 46-15(2) of the Act for the year 2009 or any later year (the “new year”) will be determined in accordance with paragraphs 3.5.5(5) and 3.5.5(6).
(7) Subject to any adjustment that may be made under paragraph 3.5.5(6), the amount of IPRS grant to be paid to a provider for any new year (a “New Year Grant Amount”) is equal to:
(A + B + C + D) x E / F
where:
A = number of notional IPRS allocated to the provider for the new year multiplied by 0.925
B = number of notional IPRS allocated to the provider for the year prior to the new year multiplied by 0.925
C = number of notional IPRS allocated to the provider for the year two years prior to that year multiplied by 0.775
D = number of notional IPRS allocated to the provider for the year three years prior to that year multiplied by 0.65
E = the Total Grant Amount as specified in paragraph 3.5.1 less the sum of reimbursements in the new year as specified in the Reimbursement Schedule at 3.5.5(6).
F = sum of (A+B+C+D) for all providers
(8) For the purpose of (2)(b), (c) and (d), the number of new IPRS allocated to the provider for each of the three previous years is the number approved by the Minister for those years.
(9) Subsequent to the calculation at 3.5.5(7) the New Year Grant Amount is adjusted in accordance with the Reimbursement Schedule at 3.5.5(10). The sum of the New Year Grant Amount and the Reimbursement for the new year is equal to the provider’s Final IPRS Grant Amount.
(10) The following Reimbursement Schedule specifies the amounts for reimbursement of net over-commitments relating to providers’ prior years' allocations. The amounts included in the table are not subject to indexation in accordance with Part 5-6 of the Act, and there are no further reimbursements after 2010.
Higher Education Provider
Net Over-Commitment 2005
Reimbursement in 2009
Reimbursement in 2010
NEW SOUTH WALES
Charles Sturt University
Macquarie University
$58,142
$29,071
$29,071
Southern Cross University
University of New England
University of New South Wales
$459,687
$229,844
$229,843
University of Newcastle
The University of Sydney
$413,897
$206,949
$206,948
University of Technology, Sydney
$2,636
$1,318
$1,318
University of Western Sydney
$12,727
$6,364
$6,363
University of Wollongong
$31,844
$15,922
$15,922
VICTORIA
Deakin University
$11,811
$5,906
$5,905
La Trobe University
Monash University
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology
$44,188
$22,094
$22,094
The University of Melbourne
$498,994
$249,497
$249,497
University of Ballarat
Victoria University
$60,507
$30,254
$30,253
Melbourne College of Divinity
QUEENSLAND
Central Queensland University
Griffith University
James Cook University
$93,671
$46,836
$46,835
Queensland University of Technology
$15,487
$7,744
$7,743
The University of Queensland
$657,146
$328,573
$328,573
University of Southern Queensland
University of the Sunshine Coast
Bond University
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Curtin University of Technology
$68,732
$34,366
$34,366
Edith Cowan University
Murdoch University
The University of Notre Dame in Australia
The University of Western Australia
$246,844
$123,422
$123,422
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The Flinders University of South Australia
The University of Adelaide
$60,123
$30,062
$30,061
University of South Australia
TASMANIA
University of Tasmania*
$968
$484
$484
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Charles Darwin University
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
University of Canberra
The Australian National University
$330,060
$165,030
$165,030
MULTI-STATE
Australian Catholic University
$563
$282
$281
NET 2005 OVER-COMMITMENT
$3,068,026
TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT
$1,534,013
$1,534,013
* Reimbursement to the University of Tasmania includes any reimbursement payable to the Australian Maritime College.
3.5.8 Exclusion of Eligible Providers from IPRS allocation
(1) A provider may be excluded from the allocation of a notional IPRS place for the new year if in the opinion of DIISR; the provider is unable to meet the objectives of the IPRS program
(2) For the purpose 3.5.5 (1) data from an excluded provider will not be included in the allocation of notional IPRS places for the new year.
3.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
(1) To be eligible for an IPRS, a student must:
(a) be an overseas student as defined in the Act; and
(b) meet international student visa requirements as specified by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), including the requirement to purchase and maintain a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy approved by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing; and
(c) be commencing full-time enrolment for the first time in a HDR at an eligible scholarship provider in Australia under section 46‑15 of the Act; and
(d) be undertaking study in a subject area identified by the provider as one of its areas of research concentration; and
(e) not hold a research qualification regarded by the provider to be equivalent to an Australian Research Doctorate degree or, if undertaking a Research Masters degree, not hold a research qualification regarded by the provider to be equivalent to or higher than an Australian Research Masters degree; and
(f) not have held an Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) scholarship within the two years prior to commencing the IPRS; and
(g) not be receiving a scholarship for which course tuition is a component under any other scholarship scheme to which the Commonwealth Government makes a substantial contribution.
(2) For the sake of clarity, paragraph 3.10(1)(c) does not preclude students from undertaking a component of their course of study outside Australia. Notwithstanding that paragraph, the provider may also consider students who:
(a) commenced their HDR in the previous year but who, due to the timing of their applications and subsequent enrolment, were unable to apply for an IPRS in that year; or
(b) commenced a HDR and terminated that enrolment within six months of commencement.
3.15 APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESS AND POLICIES
A provider is responsible for the IPRS application, selection and offer processes and must make information about the processes, policies and conditions of scholarship readily and publicly available.
3.15.1 Applications
(1) Eligible scholarship providers must conduct a competitive application process for awarding IPRS.
(2) Applications for IPRS must be submitted in the form approved by the date determined by the eligible scholarship provider.
(3) Eligible scholarship providers must include the following statement on the application form, immediately prior to the applicant’s signature block: “Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code (Commonwealth)”.
3.15.5 Selection Policy
A provider must maintain an IPRS selection policy which is publicly available and which accords with these Guidelines and the fairness requirements in Subdivision 19‑D of Part 2‑1 of the Act. The provider must select students for an IPRS in accordance with the policy.
3.15.10 Offer Process
(1) Subject to paragraph 3.15.10(3), a provider must offer as many IPRS as it can support through its IPRS grant, taking into account:
(a) any roll over of grant amounts made in accordance with section 46-35 of the Act; and
(b) liabilities arising from extensions and suspensions of IPRS approved by the provider, and accepting students transferring from another provider as specified in paragraph 3.25.10.
(2) The provider is responsible for managing any liabilities arising under paragraph 3.15.10(1)(b) and DIISR will not reimburse any over-expenditure on that account.
(3) A provider may only offer an IPRS as a result of:
(a) an application lodged as part of a competitive application process; or
(b) the provider agreeing to continue an IPRS for a student who is already in receipt of an IPRS and:
(i) is transferring from another provider under paragraph 3.25.10 of these Guidelines; or
(ii) is converting their degree under paragraph 3.25.15 of these Guidelines; or
(iii) has completed a Research Masters degree and is immediately proceeding to a Research Doctorate degree in a related field.
(4) A provider must offer a scholarship to a student in writing and advise the student in writing of the benefits to which they are entitled and the conditions of the scholarship. Where a provider does not include the cost of any other compulsory fees in the cost of the course of study, the letter of offer must state that the prospective student will be responsible for the payment of these compulsory fees, unless the provider chooses to cover those fees for the student.
3.20 USING THE GRANT AMOUNTS
A provider must use IPRS grant amounts only on the making of IPRS payments in respect of students awarded an IPRS.
3.20.1 Value of Scholarship
(1) The maximum value of an IPRS in a year is equal to:
(a) the estimated annual course cost, as determined by the provider in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Higher Education Provider Guidelines (Fees in respect of overseas students), for the HDR being undertaken by the student; plus
(b) the cost of a standard Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy approved by the Commonwealth Government Department of Health and Ageing and which covers the student and their spouse and dependants (if any) for the period of the IPRS.
3.20.5 Non-commencements and Withdrawals
(1) A provider may apply its usual policies concerning:
(a) the non-refundability of course costs for students who withdraw after commencing study; and
(b) administrative charges for students who do not commence their study after having received an offer of place.
(2) A provider may use IPRS grant amounts to:
(a) discharge course costs, where the course fee is not refundable to a withdrawing student; or
(b) pay administrative charges for a student who does not commence their study after receiving an offer of a place.
3.20.10 Duration of an IPRS
(1) The duration of an IPRS is three years for Research Doctorate degrees and two years for Research Masters degrees.
(2) The duration of an IPRS will be reduced by any periods of study undertaken:
(a) towards the course of study prior to the commencement of the IPRS; and
(b) during suspension of the IPRS.
(3) A provider may approve extensions to the duration of an IPRS, subject to paragraphs 3.15.10(1)(b), 3.25.10(4) and 3.25.20(1)(b).
3.25 CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP
3.25.1 Ongoing Eligibility
A provider must monitor the ongoing eligibility of a student to ensure that the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements for an IPRS as set out in paragraph 3.10 of these Guidelines.
3.25.5 Suspension of an IPRS
A student may apply to the provider for a suspension of their IPRS. The approval of suspensions will be at the discretion of the provider.
3.25.10 Transfer to another Provider
(1) If a student in receipt of an IPRS transfers to another provider, the scholarship may be transferred with the student in exceptional circumstances only.
(2) Students may continue to receive an IPRS only if the former provider supports the student’s transfer and the new eligible scholarship provider agrees to continue the IPRS.
(3) The new provider must ensure that it receives information from the former provider on any IPRS duration consumed by the student.
(4) Change of provider does not constitute sufficient grounds for a subsequent extension of the IPRS.
3.25.15 Conversion of Degrees
(1) Students may convert from a Research Masters degree to a Research Doctorate degree or from a Research Doctorate degree to a Research Masters degree and continue to receive their IPRS.
(2) The maximum duration of a converted IPRS becomes that for the new research degree (minus periods of study undertaken towards the related degree prior to the conversion).
3.25.20 Change of Research Area
(1) A provider may approve a student's request to change from the research area indicated in the original placement or IPRS offer, providing:
(a) the new research area is one of the provider’s areas of research concentration; and
(b) there will be no extension of the duration of the IPRS arising from the change of research area beyond the period of the original placement or IPRS offer, including any previously approved extensions. The only exception is where the change of research area results from circumstances relating to the research which are outside the control of the student and the provider.
3.25.25 Work
(1) Other than work that is specified as a course requirement, a student with a student visa may undertake work unrelated to their course requirements consistent with the conditions of the student visa. The student must obtain the approval of their provider prior to undertaking such work. A provider may not approve a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not interfere with the student’s study program. A provider may approve work subject to conditions determined by the provider.
(2) Work commitments cannot be accepted as grounds for an extension of the duration of the IPRS.
3.25.30 Termination of an IPRS
(1) A provider must terminate an IPRS:
(a) if the student ceases to meet the eligibility criteria specified in paragraph 3.10 of these Guidelines other than during a period in which the IPRS has been suspended; or
(b) once the maximum duration of the IPRS has been reached; or
(c) on completion of the course of study; or
(d) if the provider determines that:
(i) the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence; or
(ii) the student has failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress; or
(iii) the student has committed serious misconduct including, but not limited to the provision of false or misleading information in terms of paragraph 3.25.35.
3.25.35 Provision of False or Misleading Information
(1) If a provider knows or has reason to believe that a student in receipt of an IPRS has provided false or misleading information to the provider in relation to the IPRS, the provider must immediately:
(a) re-assess the student’s entitlement to the IPRS; and
(b) notify DIISR of the suspected offence and provide a copy of the student’s application and any other relevant information requested by DIISR.
3.30 MISCELLANEOUS
3.30.1 Supervision and Facilities
(1) A provider must:
(a) ensure that adequate facilities and appropriate supervision are available for each student undertaking a HDR; and
(b) establish, make publicly available, and abide by, a code of supervisory practice for students undertaking a HDR.
[1] The payment factor may be varied from 0.4 if the grant amounts calculated according to the formulae in paragraph 2.5.5 (7) equate to less than the total grant amount detailed in paragraph 2.5.1. The variation must be sufficient to ensure that the total grant amount is fully allocated.
