7   Miscellaneous functions

(1)  Without limiting any other functions conferred or imposed on it, the TAFE Commission may:

(a)  establish and maintain TAFE establishments, and

(b)  provide courses of study at TAFE establishments and at other places, and

(c)  confer educational awards on students who have completed technical or further education courses (and determine the eligibility of students to receive those awards), and

(d)  provide student support services, including library, counselling, course information, student activities and child care services, and

(e)  make loans and grants to students of TAFE establishments, and

(f)  impose penalties (including pecuniary penalties) for breaches of discipline by students of TAFE establishments, and

(g)  enter into credit transfer arrangements with other education and training providers (including government agencies, higher education institutions and private agencies), and

(h)  impose fees and charges (and grant exemptions from payment of fees and charges), including fees and charges to be paid in respect of the following:

•  entrance to a TAFE establishment,

•  tuition,

•  examinations,

•  the conferring of educational awards,

•  residence,

•  the provision of amenities and services, whether or not of an educational nature, and

(i)  enter into commercial arrangements for the provision of technical and further education services and for the payment of appropriate fees and charges for those services (including arrangements with employers for the provision of services to their employees), and

(j)  with the approval of the Minister, conduct any business which is related to technical and further education or which makes use of the facilities, staff or services of the TAFE Commission.

(2)  The exercise of the functions of the TAFE Commission under this section is subject to:

(a)  in the case of the provision of accredited vocational courses of study and the conferring of educational awards in connection with those courses—the accreditation requirements of the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board, and

(b)  in any case—any requirements of the regulations.

(3)  The TAFE Commission may, with the approval of the Minister:

(a)  form, or participate in the formation of, private corporations, and

(b)  acquire, sell or otherwise dispose of interests in private corporations, and

(c)  enter into partnerships, joint ventures or other profit-making arrangements,

      for the purpose of the exercise of the functions of the TAFE Commission referred to in subsection (1) (j) or such other of its functions of a commercial nature as the Minister may approve.

(4)  A private corporation in which the TAFE Commission has a controlling or other interest is not, and does not represent, the Crown.

(5)  The Minister may give an approval under this section that is limited to a particular case or that applies generally.

(6)  The TAFE Commission may exercise its functions under this Act within or outside the State, including outside Australia. The TAFE Commission is taken always to have had the powers conferred by this subsection.