Students are marching on Prime Minister Tony Abbott's Sydney office to protest against plans to privatise the HECS debt.
Education Minister Christopher Pyne has said the coalition government will investigate selling $23 billion of HECS debt to the private sector to generate budget savings.
The move has angered the National Union of Students, which says privatising higher education loans will leave debt subject to interest rate increases and result in higher repayments.
It has pledged to fight any increases to HECS fees and student services.
NUS president Jade Tyrell says privatisation will create a more uncertain future for university students, as will proposed cuts to compulsory student fees that go towards non-academic services.
"Abbott and Pyne need to keep their hands off education, keep student service and amenities fees and retain equity targets to to help ensure access to education for all," she said.
Landal Butler was among a small group of students rallying outside the University of Technology, Sydney, on Wednesday before marching to the PM's office.
She said higher fees would force many students out of universities.
"Its a huge deterrent for students going into university when fees are higher," she told AAP.
The protest are part of a national week af action taking place in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.
Share
