The National Quality Council has recently released a statement on its decision to recommend to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment to defer implementation of the options for the protection of student fees paid in advance (see www.nqc.tvetaustralia.com.au).

The NQC met on 9 December 2010 to discuss AQTF Condition 5 and the section dealing with the options for the protection of student fees paid in advance and agreed to recommend to the Ministerial Council that implementation of this section of Condition 5 be deferred until 1 July 2011. By this date it is anticipated that the NQC will have clear advice and robust options for the protection of student fees, including the criteria for what constitutes an approved tuition assurance scheme.