Am wondering whether you are considered a commencing student when transfering from one Uni to another and thus are considered a new student at your new uni and are charged the new higher hecs charges?.
If you transfer course in 2005, then yes you will have to pay 25% extra HECS (well at UTS at least) because when you transfer you have to fill out a new HECS form.
No you don't have to fill out a new HECS form each semester, unless your uni is crazy. You get a new HECS statement each semester which you can pay or partially pay or defer each semester.
Your HECS form records the course you are doing, so when you change, you need a new HECS form for the new course.