The Abbott government is facing fresh calls to delay the introduction of its higher-education reforms, with a vice-chancellor breaking ranks with the sector to support limits on the amount universities can charge for a degree.

Only two of the nation's 40 public universities have indicated what fees students would be charged from 2016 if the government's plan, currently stalled in the Senate, becomes law. The main round of university offers for NSW and the ACT will be released on Wednesday, with 80,000 hopeful students in the dark about what they would pay in the later years of their degree.

Only two public universities have announced what fees they will charge from 2016. Credit:Fairfax

"UTS is concerned about the financial uncertainty deregulation of fees means for students starting in 2015," University of Technology, Sydney, vice-chancellor Attila Brungs said.

"We believe it is unreasonable for deregulation to proceed for 2016 due to a lack of time to consider and implement any final legislation and to provide appropriate advice to prospective students. 2017 is now the earliest that fee deregulation should be considered."