The federal government is aiming to pass laws to end HECS subsidies for maths and science courses before Parliament rises for the winter break.

The government said the subsidies had not been proven to increase student participation in maths or science courses.

The measure, announced in the November mid-year budget review, is expected to save the federal government about $400 million. However, it means that HECS fees for maths and science courses would double.

When it was announced, the Australian Greens and independent Rob Oakeshott savaged the cuts, saying that ‘‘any cut to higher education funding, at a time when Australia’s long-term strategy has education and innovation at its heart, is a concern’’.