Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Muir for that question. As to the end of the six-year period, we are all in the same boat. I say in response to Senator Muir's question that most certainly the government is not changing any aspect of the system that requires no student to pay any costs while they are studying and not to pay a cent before they earn $50,000. That would be the first thing I would say.

The second thing I would say is that we are pursuing a process to extend Commonwealth funding to those who wish to undertake qualifications in a much broader range of areas—and that support is not currently available to students who want to study in those areas, whether it is a diploma, an associate diploma or a pathway course. That will open up opportunities for, we estimate, another 80,000 students over the next four or five years. That is a very significant change in the opportunities available. We are also very proud of the institution of the Commonwealth scholarship scheme, which I would be happy to explain further to the senator— (Time expired)