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Australian Government Coat of Arms

Budget | 2014-15

Budget 2014-15
Australian Government Coat of Arms, Budget 2014-15
  1. budget.gov.au
  2. 2014‑15
  3. Higher Education
  4. Opportunity and choice for all

Opportunity and choice for all

The Government has a plan to ensure that Australia has one of the best higher education systems in the world

Our reforms will expand funding to more students whilst ensuring no student pays a dollar upfront

Our goal is to ensure that Australia has one of the world's best higher education systems.

This means:

  • students being able to choose a high quality course that is right for them
  • affordable access for all through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP)
  • world class teaching and research
  • having universities respected among the very best in the world
  • universities and colleges free to pursue their goals and cater to their communities in cities, towns and regional locations across Australia, and online.

A world leading higher education and research system for Australia will:

  • expand opportunities for all students, from all backgrounds
  • provide more help to students in need
  • equip students for the jobs of the new economy, wherever they may be
  • share costs fairly between students—who benefit from a university education—and the taxpayers who support them
  • help ensure Australia isn't left behind
  • promote world class research in Australia to benefit the community
  • let universities, colleges and researchers focus on what they do best—providing excellent teaching and research
  • enhance quality of higher education and cut red tape
  • flexibly respond to student demand and the skills needs of our workforce.

The Government's major higher education initiatives include:

Supporting alternative pathways to higher education by providing direct financial support to all students studying diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degree courses at approved institutions.

  • Rebalance the Commonwealth's contribution towards course fees for new students.
  • Universities will be able to set their own course fees, and are required to spend $1 of every $5 of additional revenue on Commonwealth Scholarships which will support access for disadvantaged students.
  • Removing loan fees for FEE‑HELP and VET FEE‑HELP, meaning equal access to loans for all students.
  • $150 million for the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy in 2015-16, which provides Australian researchers with access to national, strategically important research facilities.
  • 100 four-year Australian Research Council Future Fellowships for mid‑career researchers each year.