Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
    • 2022 Floods
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2023

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 16 April 2008

Advancing equity and participation in Australian higher education

Universities Australia today released its action plan to address participation and equity levels in higher education of people from low socio-economic backgrounds and Indigenous people.

The plan draws on the findings of the Universities Australia-commissioned Equity and Participation scoping study also released today.

The Chair of the Steering Group for these initiatives, Professor Alan Robson said the scoping study was framed to determine barriers to entry and factors that may influence success for Australian students from three low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds: students from rural and regional Australia; Indigenous students; and students from metropolitan areas.

“Using evidence-based analysis to assess the factors influencing equity and participation in higher education, the scoping study found that in terms of performance at university, low SES participation is more an issue of access than success once enrolled,” Professor Robson said today.

“Parental education levels and parental occupation levels reveal more of the substantial differences in students’ financial circumstances and more of the effect of differences in finances on students’ capacity to study, than does the current postcode-based analysis,” Professor Robson said.

“However, low SES remote students and Indigenous students continue to be the exceptions in terms of positive outcomes from university participation.

“In the light of present knowledge, the most effective way to improve the participation of people from low SES backgrounds and Indigenous people in higher education is to recognise that we need a better policy framework comprised of inter-related policies and a package of policies, rather than any `magic bullet,” he said.

The Universities Australia action plan comprises two major elements: policy initiatives and research initiatives. The policy initiatives suggest steps that can be taken within the current policy framework. The research initiatives are aimed at supporting better evidence-based policy initiatives to improve equity and participation of students from low SES backgrounds in the future.

“Australia must do all it can to ensure all those who can benefit from higher education are able to do so,” Professor Robson said.

“We need a national approach that recognises the federal-state, cross-portfolio and cross-sectoral forces at play; and that ensures that all stakeholders are able to work collaboratively and consultatively to improve equity and participation in Australia’s higher education sector.

“Quality partnerships between and among schools, vocational and technical education institutions, employers, communities and universities – and governments – are at the heart of achieving that goal,” Professor Robson said.

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
4 October 2023

POLICY CHANGES NEEDED FOR UNIS TO FIX NATION’S SKILLS CRISIS

The government’s annual skills shortage analysis underscores the importance of universities to addressing the crisis plaguing Australia’s labour market and weighing down our economy.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
4 October 2023

Universities Australia appoints new Deputy Chief Executive

Universities Australia has appointed Renee Hindmarsh as its new Deputy Chief Executive, effective 25 October 2023.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
3 October 2023

Unis central to Australia's net zero workforce needs

Jobs and Skills Australia’s ‘The Clean Energy Generation: Workforce needs for a net zero economy’ report confirms the central role of universities and vocational education in guiding Australia’s energy transition.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2023
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
©2023
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2023
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index