The Universities Accord has released a comprehensive report following a year-long review of Australian higher education. The report advocates for an ambitious target: aiming for up to 80% of Australians to participate in tertiary education by 2050. This ambitious goal necessitates a significant expansion of both university and vocational education and training (VET) capacity. Moreover, innovative funding approaches will be taken into consideration to ensure equitable opportunities for disadvantaged students.
Central to the report is the importance of a seamless integration between vocational and university education delivery systems. This integration aims to provide students with diverse pathways while aligning educational offerings with evolving industry demands.
On the international front, the report underlines the importance of diversifying international student recruitment efforts and aligning these efforts with Australia’s skill requirements. Minister for Education, Jason Clare, highlights the need for 80% of the future workforce to have completed either high school, Technical and Further Education (TAFE), or university education.
Acknowledging the significant contribution of international students, who currently account for one-fifth of overall university funding, the report emphasises the need for careful management of both demand and supply dynamics. This entails orienting international students, particularly those seeking migration pathways, towards courses that address Australian skill shortages and encouraging study in regional areas.
The report emphasises the necessity of safeguarding Australia’s reputation for providing quality education to international students, with recommendations from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for robust risk management strategies.
Minister Clare urges serious consideration of the report’s recommendations, recognising the potential for collaboration between TAFEs, universities, and industry to accommodate the growing number of tertiary students and meet evolving workforce needs.
