Reforms

In 2002, the Commonwealth Government conducted a review of Australia’s higher education system. The Government’s response to the Review was announced on 13 May 2003 as part of the 2003/2004 Budget process. The Reform package lays the foundation for a ten year vision for Australian higher education, with more than $2.6 billion of additional Commonwealth funding being invested in the sector over five years.

The future direction of Australian higher education will be forged through an integrated policy framework based on four foundation principles – Sustainability, Quality, Equity and Diversity.

The reforms will establish a partially deregulated system of higher education, in which individual universities are enabled to capitalise on their particular strengths and determine the value of their course offerings in a competitive environment. There will be renewed emphasis on learning and teaching outcomes, greater recognition of the role of regional campuses and institutions, and a framework for research in which all Commonwealth funding is either competitive or performance-based. New arrangements for student financing will encourage lifelong learning, and ensure equity of access to higher education - no eligible student will be required to pay their fees up front when they enrol at an eligible higher education institution. Greater access for disadvantaged groups will be supported, and the market for private higher education will be opened up, while still enhancing quality control. Diversity will be encouraged through the creation of performance-based incentives for institutions to differentiate their missions.

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This page was last updated on Monday, 04 August 2008

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