Uni Fees Won't Be Doubled for Social Work and Psychology Courses

The government has reclassified the courses.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the cost of studying humanities at university is set to double, while "job-relevant" course fees will decrease under an overhaul of tertiary education.

The government's aim is to funnel students into industries that will drive job growth, including English, teaching, agriculture, maths, science, health, environmental science and architecture.

While students undertaking those courses can expect to have their fees slashed, those enrolling in law or commerce will have their fees raised by 28 per cent.

The HSC class of 2020 really has the world against us. Uni fee hikes, removal of HECS-HELP , HSC being conducted in full force despite covid, and now formals and graduation ceremonies have been cancelled. To quote Scomo - "I couldn't be more blunt about it", everything sucks

— it really do be like that sometimes (@strifezcx) August 17, 2020

However, it was revealed today that social work and undergraduate psychology have been cut from the list of humanities courses set to have fees doubled.

As reported by The Conversation, the change is part of a deal with the Nationals. Instead of students paying a proposed $14,500 for these courses, they'll pay $7,950.

Originally, both social work and psychology were both in the most expensive band. 

The Australian revealed in June that the psychology and social work sectors were both concerned they would lose out on a future workforce if the fees for courses increased. 

In order to offset the reductions in the proposed fees for these courses, the maximum fee for student bands 1 and 2 (the lowest fee categories) are being increased by $250.

Law and humanities courses will still experience significant fee hikes.

"We have made sensible amendments to the legislation after listening to the constructive feedback provided during the consultation process," Education Minister Dan Tehan said in a statement on Tuesday. 

Although, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Labor education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the government should ditch the whole package. She noted that the course fees for social work and psychology will still increase by more than $1,000 a year from current levels.

Mr Tehan has confirmed that existing students will not face fee hikes. 

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