Higher Education Environment

Overview
State Government
National Government
International Outlook
Resources

Overview

There have been fundamental shifts in Higher Education policy in recent years with a significant new focus on nation building, job-readiness and the utility of the educational investment. Self-regulation and self-accreditation is being challenged by stronger community views about curriculum standards and the transparent oversight of outcomes. Increasingly, higher education is seen as part of the social inclusion policy armoury. An increased awareness of the importance of quality of learning, teaching and research by both students and academic staff has resulted in a higher education sector that is increasingly competitive, responsive, learner-centred and entrepreneurial.

Recent Federal Government policy aims for a student demand driven sector with widening accessibility, a greater contribution towards jobs growth and 'nation building', and for research to be clustered in large-scale, world-class groupings that have a real impact on society's 'wicked problems'. Industry is becoming increasingly specific in its labour market requirements, and professional accreditation bodies more directive in program structure and course content.

The government responses to both the Bradley 'Review of Higher Education' and Cutler's review of innovation, 'Venturous Australia', have set the future of the operating environment for higher education across Australia. Recommendations of the Bradley Review indicate a shift to a more student-driven model of funding for universities and a greater focus on access for traditionally under-represented students, reinforcing the importance of the University's ability to provide a high quality, equitable education. Of equal importance is the recognition by the Cutler Review that the nation must move towards the full funding of research, as the 'cross-subsidisation of research from teaching profoundly undermines both activities, the former by short-changing it, with the upshot of leaving it subject to the uncertainties of international markets, and the latter by undermining its international competitiveness'.

The 2009-2010 Commonwealth Budget affirmed that the 'reach, quality and performance of this nation's higher education system is central to Australia's economic and social progress'. The removal of institutional quotas on student places, the provision of funding for students from low socio-economic groups and increases to research support funding will provide a significant boost to the University's ability to continue its growth path while providing a quality experience for its students.

Further information about the social, economic and political environment facing the higher education sector can be found via the menu links to the left.

State Government

Education is now South Australia's fourth largest export and the State Government is keen for Adelaide to be known internationally as a recognised education centre and as Australia's "Learning City".

The State Government has responsibility for primary and secondary schooling in SA through the Department of Education and Childrens Services (DECS) and some responsibility for higher education through the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST). Through initiatives such as the futureSACE School to Work Innovation Programs, the state is attempting to ensure students and young people have the supports they need to access further education and training.

The South Australian Government also works with universities, private and public education providers and the Adelaide City Council to market Adelaide as Australia's premier study destination; provide marketing analysis for the industry; and offer community support for students choosing to study in South Australia. This is managed through the Study Adelaide brand. More information on the State Government's role in Higher Education can be found on its business website.

It is important for the University to be abreast of current state plans that may impact the way we operate or that may provide the University with increased opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of South Australia. Major State Government planning and policy statements can be found below.

State Government Links

Commonwealth Government

An understanding of Commonwealth Government policies and directions for higher education is critical to the University, as the government sets the funding and policy environment in which we operate. Links to major policy statements, budget documents and general information about higher education in Australia can be found below.

Commonwealth Budget

The Commonwealth Budget provides an overview of the Government's funding allocations for the commencing financial year. For 2009/10 this includes a section specifically relating to Universities, Innovation and the Education Revolution. Budget documents are also available for past years with recent years available below.

Education

The Commonwealth Government has responsibility for education, including higher education, through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

New policy initiatives

Transforming Australia's Higher Education System In May 2009, the Australian Government committed $5.4billion over four years to support higher education and research in response to the Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education. The Government's full response to the review and their new priorities for higher education are outlined in Transforming Australia's Higher Education System.

Quality and Standards A new national body for regulation and quality assurance will be established by the Government. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) will build on and expand the work previously undertaken by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). TEQSA is anticipated to be established during 2010.

Research

Research and innovation activities are managed at a Commonwealth level by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Sciencve and Research (DIISR).

New policy initiatives

Powering Ideas: an innovation agenda for the 21st century The Australian Government's response to Cutler's review of innovation, venturous australia, sets the environment for research and innovation activities for the next ten years. Powering ideas: an innovation agenda for the 21st century clearly sets out the Government's commitments to growing Australia's capacity in these areas.

Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) In February 2008, the Government announced plans for a new research quality and evaluation system, ERA. ERA will be developed by the Australian Research Council and is currently being trialled. The process will be implemented during 2010.

Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE), Joint Research Engagement (JRE) and Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) The Government has proposed a number of complementary new schemes for managing research funding. The SRE initiative will supplement the current Research Infrastructure Block Grant Scheme in a move to provide full-cost funding for research activities. Access to funding is dependent on participation in the ERA initiative and undertaking a transparency costing exercise. The JRE scheme will replace the current Instituional Grants Scheme and the CRN initiative is being established to encourage smaller and regional universities to partner with others and improve research outcomes.

Commonwealth Government Links

International Outlook

International Benchmarking

The University is involved in a number of international benchmarking relationships and is in the process of developing more. Further information about our international benchmarking activities can be found on the International Benchmarking site.

International Higher Education Links

This following are links to international Higher Education information and resources that may be of value.

Australian Education International

European Union Higher Education page

The Bologna Process - Towards the European Higher Education Area

European Association for Higher Education

UK Higher Education Statistics Agency

US Federal Office of Post Secondary Education

Atlas of Student Mobility

World Education Services

Links and Resources

Other Universities in Australia
Sectoral Bodies
- Universities Australia
  Universities Australia is the industry peak body representing the university sector. Universities Australia represents 38 of Australia's universities in the public interest, both nationally and internationally.
- Group of Eight (Go8)
  The Group of Eight represents Australia's leading universities. Membership of the group consists of the vice-chancellors (presidents) of: The Australian National University, Monash University, The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales, The University of Queensland, The University of Sydney and The University of Western Australia.
- Academic Consortium 21 (AC21)
  AC21 is an international partnership of leading research universities committed to innovation in education, research and academic governance through collaborative action. The Univeristy of Adelaide has been a member of AC21 since 2008.
- Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN)
  The ATN members are Curtin University of Technology, University of South Australia, RMIT University, University of Technology Sydney and Queensland University of Technology.
- Innovative Research Universities (IRU)
  The IRU is a network comprising Flinders University, Charles Darwin University, Griffith University, James Cook University, La Trobe University, Murdoch University and Newcastle University.
External Data Sources - Australian
- Access Economics
  Access Economics provides economic advice for business, government, industry groups and not-for-profit organisations. Access Economics produces a number of reports and publications available for the public, relating to economic data and analysis.
- Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA)
  CEDA is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that provides information and research relating to the economic and social development of Australia. CEDA's aim is to facilitate better public policy and consequently better outcomes for Australia's economy.
- The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
  The ABS provides a range of demographic statistics at a local, state and national level, based on the most recent census data and a series of ongoing surveys and reports. Key publications include:
  The ABS also maintains a series of reports and spreadsheets particularly focused on Education.
- The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
  The AIHW is the national agency set up to provide information on Australia's health and welfare, through statistics and data development that inform discussion and decisions on policy and services.
- Atlas of South Australia
  The Atlas of South Australia provides interactive maps of SA regions that can be overlayed with demographic and social/environmental data to create a picture of the state's different communities. This includes data relating to the educational attainment of the community and the location of education services.
- Graduate Careers Australia (GCA)
  GCA is a peak body that promotes and fosters employment and career opportunities for graduates from higher education institutions, provides high quality careers education products and services, researches first destinations and salaries of graduates and interprets trends in employment with special reference to graduate employment. In particular, GCA conducts the Australian Graduate Survey, an annual survey that collects information on the experiences and destinations of university graduates.
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
  The NHMRC is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research; for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments; and for providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research.
- Australian Research Council (ARC)
  The ARC is a statutory authority within the Australian Government's Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (IISR) portfolio. Its mission is to deliver policy and programs that advance Australian research and innovation globally and benefit the community. The ARC provides advice to the Government on research matters and manages the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), a significant component of Australia's investment in research and development.
External Data Sources - International
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  The OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world. The OECD recognises that higher education is a key component in every country's economic development and provides one of the world's largest and most reliable sources of comparable statistics, and economic and social data, including education.
- The World Bank
  The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world to assist in the fight against poverty. The World Bank aims to help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors. Education is recognised as a critical component of development and ending poverty, and as such the World Bank maintains a range of publications and is involved in a number of projects relating to Tertiary Education.
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
  UNESCO is an agency of the United Nations that promotes international cooperation in the fields of Education, Science, Culture and Communication. The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) provides a database of global and internationally comparable statistics on education, science, culture and communication.
Higher Education News Sources
External Affairs Briefings
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