Job-ready Graduates - legislative changes from 1 January 2022

From 1 January 2022, new pass rate requirements will apply to students who receive Commonwealth support (enrolled in a CSP, or using HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP). These changes mean that you’re less likely to incur a debt for a program that you’re not suited to.

A ‘low pass rate’ is when you have passed less than 50 percent of the courses you have attempted after you have attempted 8 or more courses in a bachelor level or higher program (or 4 or more courses in a higher education program lower than a bachelor program).

The new pass rate requirements will apply if you:

• commence in a new Program on or after 1 January 2022 (this includes if you were a student before 2022 and have changed into a new Program in 2022, or if you deferred an offer in 2021 (or earlier) and commence your Program in 2022
• are enrolled in a CSP
• are enrolled in a full-fee paying place and are using FEE-HELP to defer your tuition fees.

You must successfully pass at least 50 per cent of the courses you have attempted after you have:

• attempted 8 or more courses in a bachelor level or higher program
• attempted 4 or more courses for a higher education program lower than a bachelor (such as a diploma, concurrent diploma, or enabling program).

Note that the pass rate is based on the number of courses, rather than the unit value of the course (i.e. #2), you have undertaken.

The pass rate requirement is different from the University's academic progression requirements.

Any course with a census date from 1 January 2022 onwards that you are enrolled in after the census date will be included in the pass rate calculation.

• If you withdraw from a course after the relevant course’s census date you will still be charged for the course and it will count as a failed attempt in the pass rate calculation.
• Course(s) for which you received credit (i.e. advanced standing or recognition of prior learning) toward your Program are included in the pass rate calculation as 'passed courses' if the credited course had a census date from 1 January 2022.
• Course(s) you were enrolled in with a census date from 1 January 2022:
  • as part of an overseas study program (e.g. exchange, study abroad)
  • at another Australian university (e.g. as a cross-institutional student), also count toward the pass rate.
• If you can demonstrate that 'special circumstances' led to you withdrawing from, or failing, a course(s), you may be able to apply to the University for that course(s) to not count toward your pass rate. Refer to Removal of courses due to special circumstances.

If you have a low pass rate, you will not be eligible for ongoing Commonwealth support (studying in a CSP or getting HELP loans for your study) for that Program.

If you have a low pass rate, you can:

• continue your Program by paying the full fee cost upfront. If you pay upfront and increase your pass rate to 50 per cent or higher, you will be eligible for Commonwealth support for your Program again
• transfer to a new Program at the University of Queensland or another tertiary institution. If you change to a new Program, your previous pass rate will not carry over and you will be able to access Commonwealth support for your new Program
• take a break from your studies and apply for an interruption. You should discuss your plans with your faculty as your Program requirements may state that you must maintain continuous enrolment. When you return from leave you will continue your Program by paying the full fee cost upfront until you increase your pass rate to 50 per cent or higher at which time you will be eligible for Commonwealth support for your Program again
• withdraw from your Program
• apply for Removal of Course due to special circumstances if your studies were impacted by difficult and unexpected circumstances. You will need to prove that special circumstances applied to you while you were studying those courses. 

The pass rate requirements will only apply if:

• you are accessing FEE-HELP for your graduate research studies (e.g. for any coursework courses you are enrolled in)
• you're enrolled in a graduate research Program in which you are enrolled in 8 or more coursework courses and you are accessing a HELP loan.

If you're undertaking a diploma alongside your bachelor’s program i.e. as a concurrent diploma, separate pass rates will be calculated for each program.

For a higher education program lower than a bachelor (such as diploma, concurrent diploma, or enabling program) you must successfully pass at least 50 per cent of the courses you have attempted after you have attempted 4 or more courses.

• Contact Student Services for assistance with developing your study skills, learning assistance or to discuss personal issues.
• Contact your Faculty for assistance with your academic progression, course selection or developing a study plan.
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students may request assistance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.