University course cost increase will deter rural, remote, low socio-economic students

NSW Secondary Principals Council president Craig Petersen says lower socio-economic families also will feel the pinch. However not everyone agrees.

The Morrison government is trying to steer prospective students into 'job-relevant' courses and will contribute more and charge students less for courses it says are more likely to lead to jobs.

While some educators fear Year 12 students may choose to opt out of further studies, others say it will even out in the long run.

The cost of completing a humanities, law or commerce degree will go up, while students keen to take on teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, science, health, architecture, agriculture, maths will see course fees plummet.

A three-year humanities degree would more than double in cost for students, from about $20,000 now to $43,500.

Fees for law degrees, typically four years, would jump from $44,620 now to $58,000.

Agriculture and maths fees would drop from nearly $28,600 over three years to $11,100.

"This has the probability for students in disadvantaged communities, so rural and regional areas, or low socioeconomic areas where university fees are a big factor," Mr Petersen said.

"They're [Year 12 students] capable of going to uni, but they make their decision on what they think their family can afford.

"The likelihood of you continuing onto further study is highly dependent on your financial position."

Mr Petersen fears a rise in the cost of some university courses will further broaden the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged families.

"You might be the brightest kid in Australia, but if you're from a low socio-economic family how are you going to afford to be a lawyer," he asked.

Year 12 career adviser Charles Impey said often a student's decision will be based on the advice they receive, and his advice to students at his school is to "go for it".

More than 1000 students attend the independent Calrossy Anglican School in Tamworth and Mr Impey's role there is to help individuals make the right decision for them.

"The increase [in some uni fees] will be fairly negligible over the repayment plan of five to 10 years," he said.

"While it looks like a steep increase now, if it takes 10 years to pay it off, it'll have less impact over the years."

Mr Impey said "it is what is is" and he encouraged students keen on attending university to follow their dream.

"The best way to look at it is, you're going to want to do something you love for the next 40 to 50 years," he said.