Universities Australia Chair Professor Deborah Terry supported the ambition to fund an extra 39,000 university places by 2023.

“Minister Tehan has clearly heard universities’ concerns about our ability to meet an increase in demand for student places in the coming years. We know that during a recession, demand for a university education goes up.”

“As a nation, we will need a skilled, educated workforce to help drive Australia’s post-pandemic economic recovery.”

“University provides an excellent path to a good job. A university qualification is one of the best investments you can make. Younger women with a university degree still earn almost $14,000 a year more on average, and younger men $12,000 more than school leavers.”

“We also welcome the focus on improving participation and attainment by Indigenous, regional and remote students. Redressing disadvantage is a core aim of all of our universities and we support the new measures to assist with the goal.”

“It is also good to see the regional-industry research collaboration fund.”

“We are also pleased to see that universities and students will have a buffer, with grandfathering for current students, and a transition fund for universities.”

Professor Terry said universities would take time to properly assess the detail of the changes.

“Today’s announcement is wide ranging and contains considerable complexity. We will need to examine it closely in coming days in order to understand the impact on our students including those in the humanities.”

“We are also keen to understand the National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund, particularly as it relates to our deep commitment to ensure that we can continue to deliver work-ready and skilled graduates in science and engineering.”