Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Guidelines
These Guidelines may
be cited as the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2010.
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 14 October 2010.
4 Revocation
The Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research)
2008, dated 11 November 2008, and all subsequent amendments are
revoked.
5 Transitional Arrangements
The
revocation of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2008,
dated 11 November 2008, 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) 2010
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
Higher Education Support Act 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS page
1.1 PURPOSE. 5
1.5 INTERPRETATION. 5
1.10 GRANT FUNDING APPROPRIATION AND PAYMENTS. 6
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
2.5.10 Conditions of Eligibility for APA
Grants. 9
2.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 10
2.10.1 Basic Eligibility Requirements. 10
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. 11
2.15.1 Applications. 11
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. 12
2.20.5 Relocation Allowance. 12
2.20.10 Thesis Allowance. 12
2.20.15 Duration of an APA.. 12
2.20.20 Extension of an APA.. 13
2.25 CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP. 13
2.25.1 Ongoing Eligibility. 13
2.25.5 Suspensions of an APA.. 13
2.25.10 Transfer to another HEP. 13
2.25.15 Conversion of Degrees. 13
2.25.20 Leave Entitlements. 14
2.25.25 Work. 14
2.25.30 Termination of an APA.. 14
2.25.35 Provision of False or Misleading
Information. 15
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 Conditions of Eligibility for IPRS
Grants. 18
3.10 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. 18
3.10.1 Basic Eligibility Requirements. 18
3.15 APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESS
AND POLICIES. 19
3.15.1 Applications. 19
3.15.5 Selection Policy. 20
3.15.10 Offer Process. 20
3.20 PAYMENTS TO STUDENTS. 20
3.20.1 Value of Scholarship. 20
3.20.5 Non-commencements and Withdrawals. 21
3.20.10 Duration of an IPRS. 21
3.20.15 Extension of an IPRS. 21
3.25 CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP. 21
3.25.1 Ongoing Eligibility. 21
3.25.5 Suspension of an IPRS. 21
3.25.10 Transfer to another HEP. 22
3.25.15 Conversion of Degrees. 22
3.25.20 Change of Research Area. 22
3.25.25 Work. 22
3.25.30 Termination of an IPRS. 23
3.25.35 Provision of False or Misleading
Information. 23
3.30 MISCELLANEOUS. 23
3.30.1 Supervision and Facilities. 23
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
APA means
an Australian Postgraduate Award as outlined at Chapter 2 of these Guidelines
AusAID means the Australian Agency for International
Development managed within the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade
CTS means
the Commercialisation Training Scheme
DEEWR means the Australian Government Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
DIAC means
the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship
DIISR means
the Australian Government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and
Research
Domestic student has the same meaning as defined in the Act
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
Grant Year means the year in respect of which the grant is made,
and of which DIISR has notified the relevant HEP
Guidelines means these Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines
(Research) 2010
HDR means
a higher degree by research which is a Research Doctorate or Research
Masters course for which at least
two-thirds of the student load for the course is
required as research work
HEP means a higher education provider as specified
in section 16-15 of the Act (Table A Providers) or section
16-20 of the Act (Table B Providers)
HERDC is the Higher Education Research Data Collection which
is managed by DIISR
HESDC is the Higher Education Student Data Collection which
is managed by DEEWR
International student means an overseas student as defined in the Act
and who is an IPRS holder commencing from 1 January 2011
IPRS means an International Postgraduate Research
Scholarship, as outlined at Chapter 3 of these Guidelines
Research Doctorate has the meaning as described in the Australian
Qualifications Framework
Research Masters has the meaning as described in the
Australian Qualifications Framework
SR is the stipend rate for a full-time student for the
relevant current year as specified in paragraph 2.20.1(1) of these Guidelines
suspension in respect of a scholarship, means a period of time
during which a scholarship holder is not receiving scholarship payments
the Minister means the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science
and Research
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.
1.10 GRANT FUNDING APPROPRIATION AND PAYMENTS
1.10.1 The funding for the Commonwealth scholarships (research)
grants are appropriated on a financial year basis but calculated and paid on a
calendar year basis.
2.1 PROGRAM
OBJECTIVES
2.1.1 Description of Scholarship
APA scholarships are awarded to students of exceptional
research potential undertaking a 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
Grants made through the APA
scheme are indexed in accordance with Part 5-6 of the Act.
The Total Grant Amount
will be the amount available to DIISR for APAs for the Grant
Year.
2.5.5 How Grant
Amounts are to be Determined
Calculate number of new APAs
(1) HEPs APA places for a Grant
Year will be determined according to the total APA places available
for the Grant Year multiplied by each HEPs share of the APA performance
index which includes all eligible HEPs and is calculated according to paragraph
2.5.5(2).
(2) The APA performance index
The APA performance
index is a list of the relative performances of a group of HEPs defined
for a particular purpose.
The relative performances are expressed as a
percentage of the sum of all performances within the defined group. Each HEPs
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 HEP is equal to a HEPs weighted
completions divided by total weighted completions of a defined group of HEPs.
Weighted student completions equals the sum of all
categories of completions after each has been multiplied by the specified
weighting factor:
· Research Doctorate has a weighting factor of 2;
· Research Masters 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 HESDC.
Research
income performance
Research
income performance for a HEP is equal to a HEPs weighted research
income divided by total weighted research income of a defined group of HEPs.
Weighted
research income equals the sum of the following categories of research:
·
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 HERDC.
Research
publications performance
Research
publications performance for a HEP is equal to a HEPs weighted research
publications divided by total weighted research publications of a defined group
of HEPs.
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 HERDC.
(3) Where the formula results in less than one but
more than zero new APAs for a HEP, a default of one APA is
awarded to that HEP.
(4) For all other HEPs, their allocation of
new APAs is rounded down to the next whole number. The difference
between a HEPs 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 Grant Year.
(5) Each HEPs remainder is ranked in descending
order based on its remainder’s closeness to one. One place is assigned to each HEP
according to its ranking until all unallocated new places are exhausted.
Calculate grant amounts
(6) The amount of APA grant
payable to an eligible scholarship HEP under section 46-15(2) of the
Act for the Grant Year will be determined using the number of new APAs
allocated to the HEP for that Grant Year and the previous three years.
(7) The amount of APA grant paid to a HEP
for a Grant Year is the sum of the following amounts:
(a)
the number of new APAs
allocated to the HEP for that Grant Year multiplied by [SR + $375 (relocation
component)];
(b)
the number of new APAs
allocated to the HEP for the year prior to that Grant Year multiplied
by (SR x 0.9);
(c)
the number of new APAs
allocated to the HEP for the year two years prior to that Grant Year
multiplied by (SR x 0.75); and
(d)
the number of new APAs
allocated to the HEP for the year three years prior to that Grant Year
multiplied by [(SR x 0.4) + $750 (thesis component)].
(8) For the purpose of paragraphs (7)(b), (c) and
(d), the number of new APAs allocated to the HEP for each of the
three previous years is the number approved by the Minister for those
years.
2.5.10 Conditions of Eligibility for APA Grants
(1) Before the end of the year immediately
preceding any particular Grant Year, DIISR will contact all HEPs
to seek written confirmation of their intention to comply with the requirements
set out in these Guidelines for the APA for the Grant Year.
The process for seeking confirmation and its timing will be determined by DIISR
and provided annually to HEPs.
(2) Only HEPs that confirm their intention
to comply with those requirements will be eligible for APA funding in
respect of the Grant Year.
(3) The HEP must provide DIISR with
the total number of APAs awarded to IPRS recipients for the Grant
Year. DIISR will contact all HEPs and seek written confirmation of
the number of APAs awarded to IPRS recipients by 30
April and 30 September of that Grant Year.
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 HEP 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 HEP 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 or an international student, as defined in
these Guidelines; and
(e) if undertaking:
(i) a Research Masters, not hold a Research
Doctorate or a Research Masters or an equivalent research
qualification; or
(ii) if undertaking a Research Doctorate,
not hold a Research Doctorate or an equivalent research qualification;
and
(f) must not previously have held a
Commonwealth-funded 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 (excluding an IPRS) or salary providing a benefit greater
than 75% of the APA stipend rate to undertake the HDR. Income
from sources unrelated to the course of study is not to be taken into account.
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 HEP
may determine that the student has demonstrated an equivalent level of academic
attainment. In determining an equivalent level of academic attainment, a HEP
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 HEP may approve a part-time APA
for a student only if the student
is a domestic student and:
(a) the student has exceptional
circumstances; or
(b) the student is undertaking CTS
training as specified in Chapter 2 of the Other Grants Guidelines (Research)
2010 concurrently with the HDR.
(2) For the purpose of paragraph 2.10.10(1)(a),
the HEP 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 HEP.
2.15 APPLICATION, SELECTION AND OFFER PROCESSES AND
POLICIES
A HEP 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) HEPs 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 HEP.
(3) HEPs 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 HEP
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 HEP must select students for an APA in accordance with the
policy.
2.15.10 Offer Process
(1) A HEP 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 HEP. The HEP is responsible for managing these
liabilities.
(2) A HEP 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
HEP agreeing to continue an APA for a student who is already in
receipt of an APA and is transferring from another HEP under
paragraph 2.25.10 of these Guidelines.
(3) A HEP 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 HEP must spend APA grant
amounts only on the making of APA payments to students awarded an APA
who are undertaking their HDR with the HEP.
(2) Each year, a HEP 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 HEP must pay at least
the proportion of the annual stipend for the period in which study is
undertaken for that year.
(3) A HEP must make fortnightly payments to
students in respect of their annual stipend. Payments must be made directly to
students. To avoid doubt, payment into an account in the student’s name with an
Australian ADI (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001) is considered
to be a payment directly to the student.
2.20.1 Value of Scholarships and Indexation Arrangements
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 HEP must maintain and apply its relocation allowance
policy. A claim for relocation allowance is assessed against a HEPs 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 Research
Masters thesis or Research Doctorate thesis. A HEP
must maintain and apply its thesis allowance policy. A claim for thesis
allowance is assessed against a HEPs 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 overseas as part of a
Commonwealth Government financially supported international postgraduate
research scholarship or award
– see paragraph 2.10.1(g)); or
(c) previously
while receiving an Australian postgraduate coursework award.
(3) The duration of an APA will be
increased by any periods of paid sick or maternity leave approved by the HEP.
2.20.20 Extension of an APA
(1) A HEP 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 HEP must not approve an extension to the
duration of an APA for a Research Masters student.
(2) 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.
(3) 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 HEP
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 of an APA
Students may apply to their HEP for a suspension
of their APA. The approval of a suspension will be at the
discretion of the HEP.
2.25.10 Transfer to
another HEP
Students
who transfer to another HEP may continue to receive their APA
only if their new HEP agrees to its continuation and
subject to the new HEP having sufficient APA grant amounts of its
own available. The new HEP must ensure that it has
received information from the former HEP 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
may continue to receive their APA for a Research Doctorate
provided there is no interval between the completion of the Research Masters
and the commencement of the Research Doctorate, 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 where the student has insufficient sick leave
entitlements available under paragraph (1), provided that a medical
certificate has been provided by the student to the HEP.
(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 HEP.
(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 HEP,
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 HEP.
2.25.25 Work
(1) Domestic students may undertake work
outside the HDR subject to the approval of their HEP. International
students may undertake work as per paragraph 3.25.25 of these Guidelines.
(2) The HEP 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.
(3) Work commitments cannot be accepted as
grounds for an extension of the duration of the APA.
2.25.30 Termination of
an APA
(1) A HEP 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; or
(b) when
the student ceases to be a full-time student and approval has not been obtained
from the HEP to hold the APA on a part-time basis; or
(c) when
the student completes the course of study, unless completing a Research
Masters and undertaking a Research Doctorate studies under paragraph
2.25.15(2) of these Guidelines; or
(d) if the HEP 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 HEP knows or has reason to believe
that a student in receipt of an APA has provided false or misleading
information to the HEP in relation to the APA, the HEP
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 HEP 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 IPRS scheme 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.
IPRS are postgraduate research
scholarships, in accordance with paragraph 46‑10(b) of the Act.
3.5.1 Total Grant Amounts and
Indexation
Grants made through the IPRS scheme are indexed in
accordance with Part 5-6 of the Act.
The Total Grant Amount
will be the amount available to DIISR for IPRS for the Grant
Year.
(1) HEPs allocation of notional IPRS
places for a Grant Year will be determined according to the total notional
IPRS places available for the Grant Year multiplied by each HEPs share of
the IPRS performance index which includes all eligible HEPs,
subject to provisions under paragraph 3.5.8, and is calculated according to paragraph
3.5.5(2).
(2) The IPRS
performance index
The IPRS performance index is a list
of the relative performances of a group of HEPs defined for a particular
purpose.
The
relative performances are expressed as a percentage of the sum of all
performances within the defined group. Each HEPs 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 HEP is
equal to a HEPs weighted completions divided by total weighted
completions of a defined group of HEPs.
Weighted
completions equals the sum of all categories of completions after each has been
multiplied by the specified weighting factor:
·
Research Doctorate has a weighting factor of 2;
·
Research Masters 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 HESDC.
Research
income performance
Research
income performance for a HEP is equal to a HEPs weighted research
income divided by total weighted research income of a defined group of HEPs.
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 HERDC.
Research
publications performance
Research
publications performance for a HEP is equal to a HEPs weighted research
publications divided by total weighted research publications of a defined group
of HEPs.
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 HERDC.
(3) Where the formula results in less than one but
more than zero new IPRS for a HEP, a default of one IPRS is
awarded to that HEP.
(4) For all other HEPs, their allocation of
new IPRS is rounded down to the next whole number. The difference
between a HEPs 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 Grant Year.
(5) Each HEPs remainder is ranked in
descending order based on its remainder’s closeness to one. One place is
assigned to each HEP according to its ranking until all unallocated new
places are exhausted.
(6) The amount of IPRS grant to be paid to
a HEP for any Grant Year is equal to:
(A + B + C + D) x E / F
where:
A = number of notional IPRS allocated to the HEP
for the Grant Year multiplied by 0.925
B = number of notional IPRS allocated to the HEP
for the year prior to the Grant Year multiplied by 0.925
C = number of notional IPRS allocated to the HEP
for the year two years prior to that year multiplied by 0.775
D = number of notional IPRS allocated to the HEP
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
F = sum of (A+B+C+D) for all HEPs.
(7) For the purpose of the definitions of “B”,
“C”, and “D” in paragraph (6), the number of new IPRS allocated to
the HEP for each of the three previous years is the number approved by the
Minister for those years.
(1) Before the end of the year immediately
preceding any particular Grant Year, DIISR will contact all HEPs
to seek written confirmation of their intention to comply with the requirements
set out in these Guidelines for the IPRS for the Grant Year.
The process for seeking confirmation and its timing will be determined by DIISR
and provided annually to HEPs.
(2) A HEP may be excluded from the
allocation of a notional IPRS place for the Grant Year if in the
opinion of DIISR; the HEP is unable to meet the objectives of the
IPRS scheme.
(3) For the purpose of calculating the IPRS
performance index, data from an excluded HEP will not be included.
3.10.1 Basic 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 DIAC, including the requirement to purchase and
maintain a standard Overseas Student Health Cover policy approved by the Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing; and
(c) be commencing full-time enrolment for the first
time in a HDR at a HEP in Australia that is an eligible scholarship provider under
section 46‑15 of the Act; and
(d) be undertaking study in a subject area
identified by the HEP as one of its areas of research concentration; and
(e) not hold a research qualification regarded by
the HEP to be equivalent to an Australian Research Doctorate or,
if undertaking a Research Masters, not hold a research
qualification regarded by the HEP to be equivalent to or higher than an
Australian Research Masters; and
(f) not have held an 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 Australian
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 paragraph 3.10(1)(c), 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,
are to be considered to meet the criterion in
paragraph 3.10(1)(c).
(3) International students holding a
student visa must comply with the conditions of their visa.
A HEP
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) HEPs 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 HEP.
(3) HEPs 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)”.
A HEP 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 HEP must select students for an IPRS in accordance
with the policy.
(1) Subject to paragraph 3.15.10(3),
a HEP must offer as many IPRS as it can support through its IPRS
grant, taking into account:
(a) any rollover 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 HEP, and accepting students
transferring from another HEP as specified in paragraph 3.25.10.
(2) The HEP 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 HEP may only offer
an IPRS as a result of:
(a) an application lodged as part of a competitive
application process; or
(b) the
HEP agreeing to continue an IPRS for a student who is already in
receipt of an IPRS and:
(i) is
transferring from another HEP 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 and
is immediately proceeding to a Research Doctorate in a related field.
(4) A HEP 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 HEP
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 HEP
chooses to cover those fees for the student.
A
HEP must use IPRS grant amounts only on the making of IPRS
payments in respect of students awarded an IPRS.
(1) The maximum value of an IPRS in a year
is equal to:
(a) the estimated annual course cost, as determined
by the HEP in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Higher Education Provider
Guidelines (Fees in respect of overseas students) managed by DEEWR, for
the HDR being undertaken by the student; plus
(b) the cost of a standard Overseas Student Health
Cover policy approved by the Australian Government Department of Health and
Ageing and which covers the student and their spouse and dependants (if any)
for the period of the IPRS.
(1) A HEP 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 HEP 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.
(1) The duration of an IPRS
is three years for Research Doctorate and two years for Research
Masters.
(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.
A HEP
may approve an extension to the duration of an IPRS, subject to paragraphs
3.15.10(1)(b), 3.25.10(4) and 3.25.20(1)(b).
A HEP 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.
A student may apply to the HEP for a suspension
of their IPRS. The approval of suspensions will be at the
discretion of the HEP.
(1) If a student in
receipt of an IPRS transfers to another HEP, the scholarship may
be transferred with the student in exceptional circumstances only.
(2) Students may
continue to receive an IPRS only if the former HEP supports the
student’s transfer and the new HEP agrees to continue the IPRS.
(3) The new HEP must ensure
that it receives information from the former HEP on any IPRS
duration consumed by the student.
(4) Change of HEP does
not constitute sufficient grounds for a subsequent extension of the IPRS.
(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.
(1) A HEP 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 HEPs
areas of research concentration; and
(b) there will be no extension to 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 HEP.
(1) A student with a student
visa who is receiving an IPRS may undertake work unrelated to their
course requirements:
(a) consistent with the conditions of the student
visa; and
(b) obtaining the approval of their HEP
prior to undertaking such work.
(2) A HEP may not approve
a student undertaking work unless it is satisfied that the work will not
interfere with the student’s study program. A HEP may approve work
subject to conditions determined by the HEP. This
paragraph 3.25.25(1) does not apply in relation to work that is specified
as a course requirement.
(3) Work commitments cannot be
accepted as grounds for an extension of the duration of the IPRS.
(1) A HEP 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 HEP 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.
(1) If a HEP knows or
has reason to believe that a student in receipt of an IPRS has provided
false or misleading information to the HEP in relation to the IPRS,
the HEP 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.
(1) A HEP 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.