Completion rate
The Australian Government has introduced new eligibility rules for student funding in higher education as part of the Job-ready Graduates legislation, starting from 2022.
If you are starting a course in 2022 in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or have a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan, this new legislation affects you. To maintain your Commonwealth Supported Place, you must have a successful completion rate of 50 per cent or higher or your Commonwealth funded place may be removed or you may be withdrawn from your course.
What is a low completion rate?
A low completion rate is failing more than 50% of the units you have attempted. Your completion rate is assessed after completing a certain number of units (threshold) related to the type of course you are studying.
| Course Type | Courses | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-Bachelor or lower | Diplomas, Associate Degrees, Undergraduate Certificates and Enabling | 4 units |
| Undergraduate or higher | Undergraduate and some Postgraduate | 8 units |
Importantly, after reaching the threshold, your completion rate will be assessed for every unit you attempt until finishing your course, so you must maintain a successful completion of 50% or above throughout your studies.
Does the low completion rate apply to me?
If you are starting a course from 2022 onwards in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or have a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan, the new completion rate requirements apply to you.
If you are a continuing domestic student accessing Commonwealth Assistance who commenced study prior to 2022 but you course transferred and commenced a new course from 2022 onwards, the new completion rate obligations will apply to you. If you are considering a course transfer and have concerns about your academic progress, contact us.
If you started your course before 2022, this requirement does not apply if you remain in your current course.
What happens if I have a low completion rate?
If you have a low completion rate in 2022 or thereafter, you will not be eligible for Commonwealth Assistance. Southern Cross University will get in touch with you about your options. You may be able to continuing to study at SCU, including transferring to different course, or continuing your course in a full fee paying place, until your completion rate increases to more than 50%, when you will be able to access your CSP funding again. In the meantime, you will be prevented from enrolling and any current enrolments will be cancelled.
If you elect to pay full fees this means you must pay the Student Contribution Amount plus the Commonwealth subsidy, see Domestic Fee Information for more details. For further information on Commonwealth funding, go to Study Assist.
The full fee is based on your level of study:
| Level of Study | Fee for each unit (per 12 credit points) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $2,500 |
| Postgraduate | $3,140 |
What results are included in the completion rate?
Your completion rate is updated once final grades are published. The following table outlines which grades contribute to your completion rate:
| Grade | Grade Descriptor | Completion Rate Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | P | Successfully completed |
| Credit | C | Successfully completed |
| Distinction | D | Successfully completed |
| High Distinction | HD | Successfully completed |
| Satisfied Requirements | SR | Successfully completed |
| Fail | F | Unsuccessfully completed |
| Withdrawn Fail | WF | Unsuccessfully completed |
| Absent Fail | AF | Unsuccessfully completed |
| Incomplete | I | Not included until final grade is published |
| Not Available | NA | Not included until final grade is published |
| Resit | R | Not included until final grade is published |
| Special Exam | SE | Not included until final grade is published |
Advanced standing (units credited from previous study) is included in your completion rate if the unit was completed from 2022 onwards.
If you withdraw your enrolment in a unit before census date, this is not included in your completion rate.
If you attempt the same unit twice or multiple times, all attempts are included in your completion rate calculation. This means if you fail the same unit two times, your completion rate includes two unsuccessfully completed units.
What do I do if my completion rate is close to 50%?
You have a number of options:
- Assess your study load. You could reduce your study commitments and concentrate on 1 unit per Term or 2 units per Session, see the weekly study time for studying in Terms and Sessions.
- Assess your capacity to successfully complete a unit before census date. If you feel you may not be able to successfully complete a unit you should withdraw your enrolment before census date to avoid incurring fees or academic penalties.
We have a wide range of support and services available that you can access, including:
- Applying for special consideration for an assessment
- Accessing the student learning zone
- Discussing your course progression or study plan with a student advisor
- Applying for special circumstances to remove a failed unit from your completion rate
- Accessing student care and support services
- Making a general enquiry, contact us
Act before census date
Consider your capability to pass the unit before census date. If you feel after the first assessment you may not be able to complete the unit successfully, withdraw your enrolment prior to census date to avoid paying fees and incurring an academic penalty, see Managing your Enrolment for more information. Withdrawing after census date counts as a fail toward your completion rate unless you meet the special circumstances criteria, see refunds and remissions of fees for more information. There is no time limit on applying for special circumstances to remove a failed unit from your completion rate.
What happens if my grades change?
If your grade changes, your completion rate will be updated automatically as soon as the new grade is published.
Can I transfer to a different course?
If your completion is low or nearing 50%, you can transfer to another course. Your completion rate resets to zero when you transfer to another course at SCU or another university. Any successfully completed units that are credited in your new course count towards your completion rate if those units were completed from 2022 onwards.
If you are a continuing student who commenced study prior to 2022 and you course transfer or commence a new course from 2022 onwards and you are a domestic CSP student, the new completion rate obligations will apply to you. If you are a continuing student, who commenced study with SCU prior to 2022, these requirements do not apply to you if you remain in your current course.