On 19 July, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, addressed the National Press Club and released the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report.
The Accord seeks to improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of higher education, to achieve long term prosperity for the sector and the nation.
Minister Clare says the Interim Report makes it clear that more jobs will require a university qualification in the future.
“That means we are going to need more people to get those qualifications. More young people getting degrees and more people in the workforce upskilling and re-skilling,” Minister Clare said.
The Interim Report outlines five recommendations for immediate action:
- Create further Regional University Centres (re-named Regional University Study Hubs) and establish a similar concept for suburban/metropolitan locations (Suburban University Study Hubs).
- Remove the 50% pass rule.
- Ensure that all First Nations students are eligible for a funded place at university.
- Provide funding certainty for providers through the extension of the Higher Education Continuity Guarantee into 2024 and 2025.
- Improve university governance systems, focusing on:
- universities being good employers
- student and staff safety
- membership of governing bodies
“Only 15 percent of young people from poor families have a university degree. And only 18 percent of young people in the regions do,” Minister Clare said.
This report makes it clear that this has to change. The changes happening in our economy right now means this has to change”.
Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Chair of the Accord Panel says “Higher education is essential to our national prosperity - It is the foundation upon which a more equitable and fair society, and a stronger economy, can be built”.
Submissions in response to the Interim Report are now open and will close 1 September 2023. The submissions will help inform the final report which will be delivered in December this year.
To find out more about the consultation process or to read the Interim Report, visit the Australian Universities Accord webpage.