Australia's 3rd Private University: SA's Torrens University Legislation assented
Wednesday 9 October 2013 @ 10.24 a.m. | Legal Research | Trade & Commerce
On 3 October 2013 the Torrens University Australia Act 2013 (No. 43) was assented to by the South Australian Government and but for commencement (which is still to be proclaimed) sees the final stages of legislation to recognise and provide for the operation of the university as well as "insofar as it is within the legislative powers of the State, facilitate[s] the provision of higher education services by the University".
Starting up in 2011, Torrens University is the first new Australian university to open in more than 20 years. It is the fortieth university in Australia and only the third private university to be established. The university is operated by Laureate Education, which is the owner of a global network of universities. The Adelaide-based Torrens University is to open its doors to students in 2013.
The plan is for the university to be a private, for-profit institution, however, it will, it is reported, also be available to domestic students as well as fee-paying international students. Various reports on the university estimate that about half of its intake will be domestic students and that the university expects to receive accreditation for Commonwealth programs that assist students with their fees.
Of note and the reason why the Torrens University Australia Act 2013 (No. 43) was enacted and passed by the South Australian Parliament is that unlike other foreign universities that have opened campuses in Australia, Torrens University was to be legislated as an Australian institution, meaning that while it is not receiving any State Government funds, it will still be able to access Commonwealth higher-education funding.
Media reports indicate that students at Torrens University will pay between $65,000 to $85,000 for their degrees, including the cost of compulsory overseas study which forms part of the "network of study at different campuses" approach offered by the university. The university's network includes two of the world's leading design schools in Milan, Italy, and globally recognised hospitality institutions in Switzerland. Laureate Education's Asia Pacific managing director Michael Mann has been quoted as saying:
"We are confident that the new university will only add diversity to the higher-education sector in Australia and provide a truly international experience to its students . . . Those studying at our new university, Torrens University Australia, will undertake part of their degree program here in Adelaide and part at other Laureate campuses around the world".
The university, it is reported, is to begin operation in 2013 with about 200 students undertaking four degrees in design, hospitality, education and business and by 2016 the intent is to cover six broad areas of study at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
TimeBase is an independent, privately owned Australian legal publisher specialising in the online delivery of accurate, comprehensive and innovative legislation research tools including LawOne and unique Point-in-Time Products.
Sources:
- Torrens University Australia Act 2013, the Bill and supporting information as reported in the TimeBase LawOne Service.
- Torrens University to open in Adelaide in 2013 (Adelaide Now Website)
