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CQUniversity welcomes the release of the Australian Universities Accord

28 February 2024
Four students (three young women and one young man) sit on the grass in front of a lime green CQUni sign made our of individual 3D block letters. The letters are covered in colourful handprints. there are trees and building in the background.
CQUniversity has welcomed the release of the Australian Universities Accord

By Jocelyn Sticklen

CQUniversity has welcomed the release of the Australian Universities Accord and thanked the Accord panel for their thorough consideration and understanding of regional issues and student equity. 

The final Report acknowledges the importance of a strong and sustainable higher education sector and the impact universities have on Australia. 

Of the 47 recommendations handed down in the Accord, several recognise the critical role regional universities – like CQUniversity – play within their communities.


Three students (two young men and one young woman) walk on a grassed area on campus. There is a yarning circle and garden behind them. The yarning circle is made of large limestone blocks.
Of the 47 recommendations handed down in the Accord several recognise the critical role regional universities

CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp said that it was great to see the Accord was reflective of the many recommendations and ideas CQUniversity, its partners and stakeholders had advocated for during the Accord process. 

“I am delighted to see that so many recommendations align with ideas and themes that we advocated for during the consultation process – both at an institutional level and at a sector level as a member of the Regional Universities Network. 

“I think the Accord Panel understood the unique needs of regional universities, their communities, and their students. 

“In fact, I think the final Accord Report also recognises the important role regional universities play within our economy and within the communities we serve. 

“We are major employers in the regions we serve, we drive outreach and participation in higher education, deliver skilled graduates and research expertise to industry, and we support high percentages of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds,” said Professor Klomp. 

Professor Klomp added: “To achieve the most ambitious recommendation within the report – a tertiary education attainment target of at least 80 per cent of the population – it is critical that policy and funding models support higher rates of participation and attainment among students from regional and remote areas. It will then be just as important to retain graduates within the regions, to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

“I look forward to continuing conversations with the Government over the coming months as they consider which recommendations from the Accord report to adopt. 

“I will continue to advocate strongly for the implementation of those recommendations that promote greater outcomes for our regions and for regional students.”


Professor Nick Klomp stands near a garden on the Rockhampton North campus. He has his arms folded and looks directly at the camera smiling. He wears a blue suit.
Professor Nick Klomp said he was delighted to see that many of the recommendations in the Accord aligned with ideas and themes CQUniversity had advocated for

Some of the key recommendations CQUniversity supports as part of the final Accord Report include:

  • Increasing participation targets for students from under-represented backgrounds.
  • The adoption of a needs-based funding model that recognises the cost of additional support programs for students from under-represented backgrounds, as well as higher income support for students from these backgrounds.
  • A model to deliver financial support for students undertaking compulsory work placements.
  • Additional Commonwealth supported places for medical places in regional universities and for First Nations students.
  • Increasing the availability of fee-free preparatory courses.
  • Increasing skills delivery through collaborative infrastructure models such as TAFE Centres of Excellence. 
  • A student charter that sets a national commitment for student safety, welfare and wellbeing. 
  • A fairer and simpler model for the indexation and repayment of HELP loans.
  • More Commonwealth supported places for postgraduate students in national priority study areas. 
  • The development of a National Research Workforce Development program.

 The final Australian Universities Accord Report can be found online at the Australian Government's Department of Education website.