AMFM fees policy

The Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) policy sets limits on fees that TEOs[1] can charge learners. Its purpose is to promote affordability of study for learners and a level of certainty about the fees payable throughout the course of study for a qualification, while allowing TEOs some flexibility in fee-setting. If SAC funding is not approved for the course, the policy does not apply, unless the course is funded under section 321 of the Education Act.

The policy replaces the Fee/Course Costs Maxima policy, which applied in 2010. The key features of the AMFM policy are:

• There are no maximum fee limits
• There is a limit on annual increases
• Postgraduate course fees are subject to the AMFM
• exceptions to the AMFM will be based on four principles.

The scope of the policy and how it applies to TEOs and courses is contained within Condition SAC086[2].

The AMFM policy applies to fees charged to learners enrolled with domestic student status as detailed in Condition SAC087[3].

The relevant policy is applied based on the calendar year in which a course, not the qualification, started, in accordance with Condition SAC088[4].

• [1]

  Tertiary education organisation (TEO)

• [2]

  Condition SAC086: AMFM policy scope

  The Annual Maximum Fees Movement (AMFM) policy applies to fees and course costs that tertiary education organisations (TEOs) receiving Student Achievement Component (SAC) funding charge domestic students enrolled in courses leading to a short award, certificate, diploma, undergraduate degree, or postgraduate qualification. The policy also applies to organisations funded by a grant under section 321 of the Education Act 1989.

  TEOs:

  • must not set, for any courses not exempted from the policy, fee/course costs that exceed the maximum limits determined by applying the AMFM policy
  • must not charge any domestic student enrolled in any course a fee higher than the benchmark domestic fee applicable to that course.

  Under the AMFM policy, TEOs must not charge course fees to Youth Guarantee students.

  The AMFM policy applies at the course level.

• [3]

  Condition SAC087: AMFM policy application to learners with domestic status

  The AMFM policy applies to fees charged to:

  • all domestic students enrolled in courses subject to the policy, whether those students attract Student Achievement Component funding or not
  • international PhD students who are enrolled as domestic students, but not to those enrolled as foreign students.
• [4]

  Condition SAC088: AMFM policy application to courses spanning more than one calendar year

  For a course that spans more than one calendar year, the applicable fee to be charged to a learner enrolled on that course is the fee applying to the year in which the course starts. The start date of the qualification of which that course is a part is not relevant.