Hopeful university entrants won't know the cost of their tertiary studies in 2018 for at least another month after parliament rose before making a decision on an overhaul of government funding for the sector.
The overhaul - scheduled to take effect from January 1 - includes funding cuts, higher course fees and a drop in the income threshold for repayment of HECS-HELP student loans.
It has few friends in the Senate with Labor, the Greens and some of the crossbench opposed to most of the measures as are universities.
The government had hoped the upper house would deal with its legislation this week before parliament adjourned for a four-week break.
That's prompted Universities Australia to ask for a one-year delay to the start date.
Australia's Group of Eight universities have all already hosted Open Day events for 2018 enrolments.
But Senate inaction had left applicants stressed, confused and in limbo, chief executive Belinda Robinson said.
Even if the fate of the legislation was settled in October it would be too late for universities to provide accurate information on courses and fees for 2018 which future students were seeking now.
"We're already hearing of double-digit declines in mature-age student applications," Ms Robinson said in a statement.
Staff numbers, student support services and certain courses could be on the chopping block at some institutions.
The Senate has four sitting weeks listed for the remainder of 2017.
