CQUniversity VC welcomes MYEFO’s vision for a stronger higher education sector
CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp has welcomed the Federal Government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) announcement, and the plan it sets for the future of the higher education sector.
The update outlines the implementation of Managed Growth Funding and a new approach to higher education equity funding for universities from 2026, subject to the passage of supporting legislation. This will support managed growth and demand for Commonwealth Supported Places and is expected to deliver funding that is responsive to the diverse needs of students, especially those from under-represented backgrounds and studying in regional campuses.
Professor Klomp explained that the introduction of these new funding systems from 2026 will not only help to provide stability for university planning but also help to improve student success outcomes.
“The Australian Universities Accord identified a need to reform the current higher education system to meet the skills and knowledge needs of our future workforces.
“To achieve this, we need to engage and retain more people in all levels of tertiary education and training, particularly those from backgrounds who are traditionally under-represented in higher education.
“This reform, pending the finer details, will be particularly beneficial for students who are first in family to attend university, First Nations students, those from regional and remote areas, and students living with disability.
“By increasing aspirations for students and implementing the appropriate funding models to support them, we can improve their success rates and university completion outcomes.
“For regional universities like CQUniversity, which have some of the highest proportions of students from equity backgrounds, these reforms will drive greater equity in enrolments and better retention results,” said Professor Klomp.
Professor Klomp also welcomed the announcement of the replacement of Ministerial Direction 107, that up until now has governed the prioritisation of international student visa processing for education providers.
“We very much welcome the announcement that Ministerial Direction 107 will be replaced heading into 2025.
“The replacement of this direction with Ministerial Direction 111 will help provide the platform for a more equitable visa processing regime across Tertiary Education providers.
“For CQUniversity, this change provides much needed certainty for our international student operations in 2025, and this stability is critical for supporting education delivery and research into our regional footprint.
Professor Klomp also expressed his appreciation to the Government for responding to the sector’s concerns and recognising the unique needs of regional universities and the communities they serve.
“The previous Ministerial Direction unfairly impacted regional universities, and I’m grateful the Government has listened and acted to address this inequity,” Professor Klomp said.
“I look forward to working with both sides of Government to support any future policy mechanisms that ensure the sustainability and prosperity of our international education sector, as well as the implementation of broader recommendations from the Accord.
“These reforms are essential to securing a strong and prosperous future for our regions.”
