Clare addressed stakeholders in Canberra on February 25, reflecting on the federal government’s latest coverage choices and outlining key pledges ought to his celebration safe victory within the upcoming election.
Australians will go to the polls for the subsequent federal election inside the subsequent three months, though the precise date has but to be confirmed.
“We are actually on the cusp of a federal election. And so, I believe it’s in all probability applicable to speak tonight about the place we have now come over the previous few years, and what comes subsequent. I believe you understand me now and what drives me,” mentioned Clare.
He famous that though Australia has a “good schooling system”, he believes it may be “lots higher and lots fairer” – two targets he confused he wished to attain.
Clare advised the sector that whereas the Accord had really useful a funding pot to which universities must contribute primarily based on their income, the Albanese authorities had determined towards this.
“I proposed a cap. The Liberal Celebration opted not to try this. So as a substitute, we have now removed Ministerial Path 107 and changed it with one thing else.
“One thing that’s higher and fairer. One thing that makes certain it’s not simply the massive universities that get the advantage of worldwide schooling,” mentioned Clare, referencing new research visa processing directive Ministerial Path 111, which was launched in December 2024.
Final yr, Labor’s proposed cap on worldwide enrolments threw the sector into turmoil. Extensively criticised for its timeline, methodology, and implementation technique, the coverage dominated headlines and compelled establishments to impose enrolment limits whereas others halted recruitment – regardless that the laws by no means handed. The uncertainty led to monetary pressure, job losses, and, for some suppliers, full closure.
Tied to the person supplier caps beforehand assigned to establishments below the federal government’s derailed cap on enrolments, the brand new directive sees departmental officers prioritising scholar visas for every supplier till they attain 80% of their cap, also called their internet abroad scholar graduation quantity.
I get how contentious that is, how necessary this income is. However it isn’t the principle sport
Jason Clare, schooling minister
“I get how contentious that is, how necessary this income is. However it isn’t the principle sport. What I’m centered on, what I need all of us to deal with, is how we construct the type of schooling system that Australia wants, that Australians want,” mentioned Clare.
Elsewhere, Clare made guarantees relating to the Australian Tertiary Schooling Fee (ATEC) – a Labor dedication to create an impartial physique for the upper schooling system, tasked with making a “higher and fairer tertiary schooling system that delivers for college students and on nationwide financial and social goals”.
“If we win the election, I’ll introduce laws within the second half of this yr to formally set up the ATEC and I need it totally operational by this time subsequent yr,” he pledged. “However I can announce tonight the crew I’ve appointed to get it up and working on an interim foundation from July 1 this yr.”
Clare introduced Mary O’Kane because the interim chief commissioner of the ATEC. O’Kane, who led the Universities Accord assessment, will probably be supported by two members of the Accord panel – Barney Glover, now commissioner of jobs and expertise Australia, and Larissa Behrendt, laureate fellow on the Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Schooling and Analysis on the College of Expertise, Sydney.
Commenting on the appointment, Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy mentioned: “Professor Mary O’Kane supplied us with a blueprint for a way we are able to reform greater schooling – it is smart that she helps convey it to life.
“The ATEC has a important function to play in offering impartial recommendation to authorities and driving sector reform to make sure our universities have the settings and assist they should thrive,” mentioned Sheehy.
“The federal government has made good progress in implementing a few of the suggestions of the Universities Accord, however there’s a whole lot of heavy lifting nonetheless to do.”
Because the federal election nears, Universities Australia is looking upon a future authorities to “be daring and and bold in its assist of Australia’s universities”.
“What Australia’s universities do issues to all of us, and we’re able to accomplice with the subsequent federal authorities to proceed constructing Australia’s future.”
Universities Australia is urging authorities to develop the nation’s worldwide schooling sector “sustainably, with out lowering its dimension or worth.” The organisation is pushing for offshore supply enlargement and advocating for a authorities that can collaborate with universities to develop a brand new worldwide schooling technique.
Chief of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, has beforehand set out his celebration’s intention to cap worldwide scholar numbers and lower migration.
The Coalition guarantees – if elected – to cut back the nation’s everlasting migration consumption by 25% and appears to shrink the variety of worldwide college students learning at metropolitan universities.
