The Australian Government has released further details of the structural reforms that are central to setting the tertiary education system up for the future, as recommended by the Australian Universities Accord.
The Australian Universities Accord (the Accord) was the most significant review of Australia’s tertiary education sector in 15 years, and its recommendations provide a blueprint for reforms for the next decade and beyond.
In the 2024-25 Budget, the Government set out the first stage of its response to the Accord and set a national target of 80 per cent of the workforce having a tertiary qualification by 2050.
The Government has recently announced further details of the structural reforms that are central to setting the tertiary education system up for the future, and which build on the 2024-25 Budget measures.
Key reform details announced include:
- The establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to advise on and implement tertiary education reform, drive growth through equity, and ensure our national skills needs are met
- A new approach to equity funding for higher education to ensure more students are supported to access, participate and succeed in higher education. Starting 1 January 2026, demand-driven Needs-based Funding will give more funding to publicly funded higher education providers to help more students from low SES backgrounds, First Nations students, and students studying at regional campuses graduate.
- A new Managed Growth Funding system for Commonwealth supported places for higher education institutions will be fully implemented from 1 January 2027, with a transition year occurring in 2026.
- A 20 per cent reduction in all student debts and making the HELP repayment system fairer.
A summary of the Government’s response to the Accord can be found online at the Australian Universities Accord: 2024-25 MYEFO Summary.