Higher Education Review Process

In 2002, the Australian Government conducted a review of Australia’s higher education system. The Review began with the release of an overview paper entitled Higher Education at the Crossroads in April 2002, which set out some of the characteristics of the higher education sector, and the challenges it faces. The overview paper raised a number of questions intended to inform and stimulate debate and called for comment and submissions on the issues raised. There were 355 submissions from a variety of stakeholders in response to the overview paper.

Coinciding with the release of the overview paper the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, established a Reference Group comprised of representatives from across the higher education sector and from business and community groups.

Between June and September a series of issues papers was produced to explore a variety of key issues in more depth. These represented issues that were raised not only in the overview paper but also through the initial submission process. These papers were:

1. Striving for quality: Learning, teaching and scholarship

2. Setting firm foundations: Financing Australian higher education

3. Varieties of excellence: Diversity, specialisation and regional engagement

4. Achieving equitable and appropriate outcomes: Indigenous Australians in higher education

5. Meeting the challenges: The governance and management of universities

6. Varieties of learning: The interface between higher education and vocational education and training

There were 373 submissions received in response to the six issues papers, once again from a variety of stakeholders including, higher education institutions, business groups, student organisations, unions and individuals.

Following the closure of the submission process on 13 September, a series of 48 forums were held in all of Australia’s major cities with around 800 stakeholders participating. These forums were a chance for participants to expand on the ideas put forward in submissions.

The public consultation process concluded in October with a two day ministerial forum held at Parliament House in Canberra. Participants at this forum were from a variety of organisations and, together with the Reference Group, discussed a range of issues with the Minister.

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 approximately $1.5 billion additional Commonwealth funding being invested in the sector over four years.

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Any comments or queries should be sent to: highered@dest.gov.au
This page was last updated on Monday, 04 August 2008

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