HECS-style loans for university students to launch innovative startups will be offered from next year after legislation passed Parliament on Thursday with the support of the Greens and independents.
The Opposition had sought to delay the legislation until a pilot phase was completed and recently tabled program guidelines had been scrutinised by the Senate, but ultimately its support was not needed.
However, successful amendments will see intellectual property rights clarified, minimum places for regional universities, and a requirement of audits of providers when courses are deficient to make any refund process easier.
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