Update: On 19 July 2023, the Government announced support to remove the pass rate requirement for students, subject to the passage of legislation. As the Government has outlined, ‘The removal of the pass rate requirements is subject to the passage of legislation’. The timeline for this has not yet been communicated. Until the required legislation has been passed, La Trobe is obligated to follow the current legislation as it applies to the pass rate requirements (known as Low Completion Rate). La Trobe students who reached the Low Completion Rate threshold at mid-year 2023, should follow the information in the email they received, and meet with an Advisor to discuss their options. This is an emerging situation, and we will provide ongoing advice to students regarding removal of the pass rate requirements as information becomes available.
The Australian Government has introduced the Job Ready Graduates (JRG) Package legislation. This legislation dictates conditions you need to meet to receive Australian Government support during your studies (such as Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Higher Education Loan Program loans (HELP).
All Australian universities are impacted by this legislation in a number of ways and we want to take this opportunity to explain the implications for you and your studies.
What are the requirements:
- Universities are required to unenroll students who do not actively participate or engage with their studies.
- Students studying Bachelor’s or Postgraduate degrees who fail more than 50% of their total subjects, after attempting eight subjects will reach the ‘low completion rate threshold’ and will lose access to their Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and HELP loans.
- Students in enabling degrees (Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP), Certificates and Diplomas) reach the low completion rate threshold if they fail more than 50% of their total subjects, after attempting four subjects.
These changes only apply to students starting a Bachelor or sub-bachelor degree (e.g. diploma and some enabling programs including the Tertiary Preparation Program) from 2022 and continuing students who transfer to a new course from 2022 onwards.
These changes also apply only to students if you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and/or receive HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
What does this mean for you?
There are now limits on the number of subjects you can fail if you are a student in a new course who is enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and/or receives HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
If you fail more than 50% of your subjects (after attempting eight subjects in a Bachelor degree or four in an enabling degree), you will be deemed to have reached the ‘low completion rate threshold’ and you will no longer be eligible for a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) or to access HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP and you will be required to pay full fees upfront.
You can find more information about fees on our website. You can also confirm if you are enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) by checking the Offers tab in StudentOnLine.
What can you do if you reach the ‘low completion rate threshold’?
If you reach the low completion rate threshold there are several options available.
- You may continue your course and pay full fees upfront. If you pay upfront and increase your completion rate to 50% or higher, you will be eligible for Commonwealth assistance for your subjects after that point.
- You can apply to transfer to a new course at La Trobe. If you transfer to a new course, the low completion rate in your previous course will not transfer to the new course and you will be able to access Commonwealth support. We will need to assess whether this new course is academically right for you. Please note, should you choose to apply for a course transfer, you will not be guaranteed an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
- You can apply to have failed subjects excluded if you have special circumstances (e.g. illness etc) by applying for a Remission of Debt for the impacted subjects. Please note that you will need to apply and provide evidence of the special circumstances that prevented you from passing those subjects.
What are La Trobe’s responsibilities?
The University will take steps to make sure that you are actively engaging in your studies and that you have access to the support you need to achieve your best.
If we believe you are at risk of not meeting the requirements, we will contact you to discuss your options and any steps you can take to improve your academic progress. If we are unable to confirm that you are actively participating in your studies, we may withdraw you from your subjects (you will be contacted by our team prior to this occurring).
You should regularly check your student email for updates throughout the semester.
Tips for maximising your success at university
Your success at university starts with Orientation. If you haven’t already, make sure you check out our Orientation program – including the Online Orientation LMS that you can access at any time throughout the semester.
Our 7 predictors of success guide outlines the seven things that you can do to hit the ground running and maximise your chances of succeeding at university.
When you begin your classes don’t be afraid to reach out for help. There are a range of supports available to help you succeed, including:
- The Library Learning Services team are here to support your study success, with specialist advice from our academic skills advisors, librarians and peer learning advisors. They can assist with essays, math, science, literacy and study skills.
- The new Achieve@Uni online resource bank is an excellent source of advice and tips to enhance your study skills and academic success. You can learn about referencing, essay writing and a whole lot more.
- Our Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion team is here to support your wellbeing during your studies and provide free, caring and effective support to enhance your academic and personal success. You can book an appointment online.
- Within the Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion team, are AccessAbility and Inclusion. If you identify as a minority neurotype, or live with or have a mental health condition, ongoing medical condition or disability or if you are a carer, you might like to register with AccessAbility and Inclusion for assistance with obtaining reasonable adjustments, a Learning Access Plan and/or information about assistive technologies to support you in your studies.
- Indigenous Student Services support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed in their studies. Tutoring, mentoring and cultural supports are available through our culturally safe spaces on every campus.
- If you are experiencing financial difficulties, you may benefit from accessing our financial health resources or seeing a financial counsellor who can support you to plan you finances and provide advice about financial assistance programs. You can access free financial counselling by contacting financial.counselling@latrobe.edu.au.
- Our Student Advising team will be reaching out if we notice you are struggling. They will support you to transition confidently and successfully into university study and to get back on track when things don’t go to plan.
More information on the Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates Package can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment Frequently Asked Questions website.