Delivering excellence in education

Higher Education

A strong higher education sector is vital for a high-productivity economy. The 2012 academic year has seen undergraduate places fully uncapped at all public universities for the first time. This reform will drive an estimated $5.2 billion increase above previous funding levels to universities between 2010 and 2015.

This extra funding supports an additional 150,000 university students in 2012 compared to 2007. Growth in offers for 2012 is greatest in health, engineering and the sciences.

Training more students in these fields will help Australia meet emerging skills shortages and deliver a highly skilled, productive and innovative workforce.

The Government is introducing a suite of measures to enhance Australia's international education sector, including streamlined student visa processing arrangements and a two to four year post-study work visa for graduates of Australian universities.

We are also helping disadvantaged university students to succeed through the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program and increased funding for enabling courses.

Maths and Science

The Budget provides $54 million for new measures in response to the Chief Scientist's report Mathematics, Engineering and Science in the National Interest.

The report made recommendations on encouraging students to study these courses at school and university.

The new measures span both schools and tertiary education.

The two–pronged approach will:

• improve teacher quality and confidence in the delivery of maths and science education, to drive participation in the study of these courses; and
• reward high performing students to encourage them to continue on with their studies from school to university and, ultimately, on to careers in maths and science.