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Australian HE reforms need further vetting
Demand-driven funding in higher education but not vocational education will distort both provision and student choice, says Peter Noonan.
The Australian tertiary education sector continues to struggle with the demands of mass higher education, and the ongoing need for responsive, accessible vocational education and training (VET). Decades of reform have not yet delivered a sustainable tertiary education sector that presents a seamless array of options to meet student and employer needs. Now, the sector faces its biggest challenge brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the fall out significantly impacting the opportunities of Australian students.
Our work looks at participation in tertiary education to understand barriers to access, and how well Australia is equipping itself for current and future skills needs.