Higher Degree by Research students are being asked to foot the bill for their Masters and PhD qualifications as a result of the 2014-15 Federal Budget, with the Research Training Scheme to be slashed by $173.7 million and RTS places added to the HELP scheme from 1 January 2016.

The Department of Education has confirmed that from 1 January 2016, Universities will be able to charge all students on RTS places fees of up to $3,900 per year - regardless of when they enrolled.  If you'll be studying in 2016, you could be charged fees.

Masters by Research and PhD students will contribute up to $3,900 per year toward their studies, in an unprecedented change to Australia’s research funding that has left postgraduates totally blind-sided.

Raising students' contribution to the Research Training Scheme from $0 to up to $3,900 is one of the most significant proportional changes in the 2014-15 Federal Budget.  Australia's 60,000 PhD and Masters by Research students contribute to our knowledge economy, industry, research sector and as the educators of our University students.  They are our research leaders of the future.