The Australian Government released a Budget Summary detailing key recommendations under the Australian Universities Accord to begin delivering the tertiary and higher education system for the future.
Key measures include:
- Lowering indexation of HELP debts
- Prac Payments to support teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students
- Fee-Free Uni Ready courses
- Developing a new funding system for Commonwealth supported places to meet student demand and increase opportunity for people from underrepresented backgrounds
- Supporting better student pathways between VET and higher education
- Establishing new governance for the Australian higher education system – the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.
The Government commissioned the Australian Universities Accord in November 2022. It was the biggest and broadest review of the higher education sector in 15 years.
On 25 February 2024, Minister Clare released the Accord’s Final Report which outlined an ambitious tertiary education reform agenda. It was the product of more than 12 months of work, informed by more than 820 public submissions and extensive consultation with stakeholders.
The Government has set an overall tertiary attainment target of 80 per cent of working aged people by 2050.
To find out more, visit Australian Universities Accord.