Tas Student Action protesting against university price hikes

Hundreds of people are expected to attend a rally in Hobart protesting against university fee changes.

TASMANIAN students are fighting back over proposed university fee changes.

A group called Tas Student Action will be protesting against the changes to HECS fees at Parliament Lawns from 3.30pm on Friday.

Under the changes, HECS fees for some degrees described as “job relevant” by Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan will be slashed, where others such as humanities and communications will rise by 113 per cent, making them among the most expensive degree options.

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When the changes were announced last month, Mr Tehan said universities needed a greater focus on domestic students and a greater alignment with “industry needs” to power Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery.

Tas Student Action representatives Miranda Bennett and Vita Rinaldi are ready to protest against the Federal Government’s proposed university fee overhaul. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Vita Rinaldi, a representative of Tas Student Action, will begin her studies at the University of Tasmania this coming semester.

“I want to major in English and go into teaching, both areas of study where the student contribution fee is set to decrease, but many of my friends – even the ones who have dropped out of uni – have told me how much they’ve learnt from taking Arts subjects,” she said.

“This protest is just one of several nationwide, but with only one university stretching to serve the whole state, I believe it‘s crucial we stand up and show this government that we will not take their fee hikes and funding cuts without a fight.”

So far more than 460 people have responded to the Facebook event, however the protest will be capped at 500 people due to COVID restrictions.

Visit the Student Fee Hike Rally event on Facebook for more information.