Universities Australia | 13 May 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… The key elements of higher education spending in the 2014-15 Budget, according to Universities Australia. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….......…… Extending the demand driven system to sub-bachelor places and non-university higher education providers thereby admitting approximately 80,000 additional students into the system (at a cost of $820 million); Full deregulation of student fees from 1 January 2016 Commonwealth’s contribution towards course fees will be reduced by 20 per cent on average (at a saving of $1.9 billion); All higher education programs will be indexed at a lower rate … [Read more...]
The thing about fees (2)
13/05/2014 by
Fairfax Media | 13 May 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Universities will have unfettered freedom to set their own fees under the most radical shake-up to higher education funding since the introduction of HECS 25 years ago. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….......…… While fees in some courses may fall, the cost of a degree from prestigious universities is expected to soar when government caps on course costs are scrapped in 2016. The federal government's contribution to degree costs will decline by an average of 20per cent from 2016 as students take on a greater share of the cost of their education. The changes will not affect current students until 2020. To calm … [Read more...]
Higher education in the Budget – the government’s statement
13/05/2014 by
13 May 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Higher education spending will rise appreciably in 2014-15, from $8.7 billion to $10.9 billion (25%), with the extension of the demand driven system to sub-bachelor places and non-university higher education providers. Modest further growth is forecast out to 2017-18, to $11.8 billion (9%). ……………………………………………………………………………………………….......…… "Australia’s higher education system is the key to our economic prosperity." This is where the professional workforce for the jobs and the economy of the future is formed. It is through universities and colleges that individuals are given the opportunity to realise their aspirations to a high skill … [Read more...]
The optics of the Budget 2014-2015
13/05/2014 by
The Conversation | 13 May 2014 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Treasurer Joe Hockey has bought down a budget that hits middle Australia with swingeing cuts and price hikes, while lauding smaller government and pushing increased responsibilities onto the states. ……………………………………………………………………………………………….......…… Middle income families face tightened family benefits, a $7 co-payment when they visit the doctor, a price hike for pharmaceuticals and higher petrol costs. Unemployed young people will have to wait longer for welfare and will be put on the youth allowance, rather than the higher rate Newstart; people under 35 on the disability support pension will face more stringent … [Read more...]
TAFE: getting the job done
13/05/2014 by
The Age | 31 March 2014 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Writing in The Age recently (Getting the job done, The Age, March 31), Claire Field (chief executive officer for the Australian Council for Private Education and Training) observed that reform always throws up winners and losers, and the training sector is no different. According to Field, the winners in the case of market-oriented VET reforms "are industry and individual students - and taxpayers who invest billions of dollars in training and skills development. The losers are those with self-interest, and who refuse to reform at the expense of the community." The Australian Education Union's Meredith Peace … [Read more...]
