This week, the Australian Universities Accord Final Report was released, containing 47 recommendations to create a long-term reform plan for the higher education sector.
There are some profound systemic recommendations with a consistent theme of the need to address equity issues and to increase and support those most under-represented in higher education, including First Nations people, people from diverse and lower-income backgrounds, people with disability, and those from regional, rural and remote communities. This requires changes including but not limited to increased and needs-based funding, cultural inclusivity and safety, financial support, affordable housing, regional universities and hubs and improved teaching and learning opportunities.
Some of the recommendations we love:
- Tackling ‘placement poverty’ has been a focus of AAPi, and we were thrilled to see the report echoed our concerns and recommendations. The Review received strong feedback from students about the burdens imposed by unpaid work placements. To ensure ‘placement poverty’ does not deter participation and successful completion, the report recommends that the Australian Government work with higher education providers and employers to introduce payment for placements, including government financial support. The report noted that this should include funding by governments for the nursing, care and teaching professions.
- Significant changes to the HELP system have been consistently raised by AAPi members and championed by AAPi. Detailed changes have been recommended to reduce the financial burden. The HELP system should limit disincentives and ensure that HELP liabilities are equitable and sustainable.
- There is also a recommendation to review bank lending practices to ensure HELP loans are not like other types of loans and are not treated in a way that unduly limits peoples’ borrowing capacity for home loans.
- Improved income support payments for students should be guided by an education-first principle where the policy intends to reduce roadblocks to tertiary education participation and enable retention, success, and completion. Student income support payments should reduce the barriers facing students deciding whether to commence their studies, focusing on the largest barriers of financial security and other responsibilities (such as working, caring and family). Eligibility criteria for payments should take into account the specific needs of regional students, including the extra costs of relocation. Expanded income support eligibility and pro-rata student payments to students who study part-time and allowing students to undertake work while studying.
- Recognising that many students need to work to support themselves while studying and that finding appropriate work can be challenging, the report recommends establishing a Jobs Broker available free to students to help them find part-time employment in areas close to their field of study.
- There is a push towards the continued development of a National Skills Passport to help individuals demonstrate the skills they have obtained through work, qualifications and experience.
- Improvements to credit transfer and recognition of prior learning to make it easier for students to gain maximum credit for previous study and appropriate work experience to minimise the time and cost of getting a new qualification or building on their existing qualifications.
- More flexible, efficient ways for individuals to attain the skills they need across their working life. This will be driven through more modular, stackable and transferable qualifications that address Australia’s emerging skill needs, including microcredentials funded, accredited and recognised by the Australian Government.
- Improve access to postgraduate studies by increasing the number of Commonwealth-supported places available, focusing on areas of national shortage, including psychology.
- More opportunities and increased rewards for early career researchers, including raising the minimum stipends and making part-time scholarships tax-free.
AAPi will work very hard to ensure these recommendations are endorsed and implemented, resulting in beneficial outcomes for current and future psychologists.