(1) No, the Department has not entered into any agreements with the banking sector to provide loans to missing middle students. However, there have been engagements with banks about the possibility of a loan scheme supported by government guarantees.
(2) Issues relating to the feasibility of loans were explored in earlier work conducted by the Department, particularly by a Ministerial Task Team that reported in 2016. The findings of this work were incorporated into the report of the Ministerial Task Team, whose recommendations are currently under discussion. The work of this MTT reviewed previous policy advice provided to government. In addition, the report reflected on the findings of the Heher Judicial Commission on the funding of higher education, which included recommendations for an income-contingent loan model, which would include the tax-collection authority. In investigating a possible future loan model, the Department will be mindful of the student debt situation and the feasibility of collecting loans.