Uni bill open for input
The Albanese Government says it is committed to the recommendations of the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report.
Jason Clare, the federal Minister for Education, has announced legislative steps to put key recommendations into effect.
The Education Support Amendment (Response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report) Bill 2023 was unveiled this week, aimed at shifting the educational landscape.
The bill will remove the 50 per cent pass rule, a legacy of the Job-ready Graduates Scheme, which has had an undue impact on underprivileged and regional students.
At Western Sydney University alone, the government says around 1,350 students, predominantly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, were coerced to abandon their academic pursuits this year due to its ramifications.
The new bill also seeks to fortify educational institutions' accountability, with any institutions falling short of new benchmarks to face substantial penalties.
The Bill should support demand-driven funding for all Indigenous students qualifying for university admission, irrespective of their geographical location.
Currently applicable only to those residing in regional Australia, this change is set to broaden the horizons of Indigenous education nationwide.
The Interim Report presents a plethora of over 70 proposed policies to reshape the educational terrain.
Stakeholders are encouraged to participate by sharing their insights on these suggestions through the Department of Education's Consultation on the Accord Interim Report page.