Australian higher education funding

Threat highlights uncertainty for dual-sector universities, with twice as many masters holding the purse strings

Government amendments as bill passes first stage ‘fix minor drafting errors identified by my department’, minister explains

University system already reliant on international students’ tuition fees now depends on visa fees as well

Careful what you wish for, shadow minister warns universities, as crossbencher asks whether ‘the substance matches the slogan’

Amalgamation with struggling institute of technology would make both institutions ‘an even better proposition’, says university boss

Australian universities most cashed up on foreign fees are not necessarily those most vulnerable to a downturn, analysis finds

New reporting requirements coincide with raft of campus openings on the subcontinent

Lack of extra money and risk of more centralised control means new bill ‘does not do what it says on the cover’

Proposed penalties most disadvantageous to the universities already struggling with volatile enrolments, submissions say

Top university told it must clamp down on salaries and spending to manage ‘downside risks’ of government international education policies

Serial deficits plague universities that have failed to recover their pre-pandemic international revenue, analysis finds

‘Self-referential’ science must make sure it is using current allocations effectively, says head of slimmed-down agency

Lobbyists welcome streamlining and greater spread of competitive funding, but say opportunities for novice researchers will come at a cost for their established peers

Course costs can be wound back without undue pain to students, universities or the government, under policy prescription

‘Asia Capability Compact’ and language hub network among the mechanisms recommended to revive Australia’s skills in engaging its neighbours

But subsidised postgraduate opportunities at risk, as demographics and funding changes favour undergraduate emphasis

Sector cannot afford to keep ignoring the enormous opportunities in the world’s fastest-growing continent, international experts warn

Government measures to crack down on student migration may not have run their course, observers warn

Reforms to expand places and improve inclusivity will be hampered by ‘bureaucratic control’ and postgraduate ‘blind spot’, critics warn

Maverick Australian politicians vow to deport dropouts and slash enrolments, as erstwhile fringe party claims the ascendancy

Chinese tuition fees contribute 35 per cent of revenue for leading Australian universities, as figures reveal ‘structural gap’ in funding

Sudden departure revealed days after financially ‘strong’ university opened consultations over 140 proposed job losses

First leader of sector steward ‘happy to look at fees’ while commission pursues costing analysis

‘Temporary circumstances’ responsible for increased financial dominance of richest pair

Latest tranche of financial accounts depicts a sector in hearty financial health, despite policy volatility

New figures highlight contribution of international education – and danger of shutting it down

Proposal for riverside Hobart campus to proceed in pared-back form after sell-off of existing base agreed

ANU’s ‘academic performance remains strong’, university insists, amid call for governing body spill over overstated financial crisis

Institutions capitalise on local interest in research to drive philanthropy, with Griffith University doubling donations over six years

‘Focused interim action’ required on a sector that politicians say is ‘sacrificing fundamental social benefits in the pursuit of corporate outcomes’

Unprecedented refusal rates raise fresh doubts over risk rating methodology as officials get tough on ‘non-genuine’ students

Increased federal funding and student demand fuel a boost to most institutions’ bottom lines in Sunshine State

Increase in PhD stipends, efforts to estimate true cost of research and reforms to key grant schemes included in long-awaited recommendations from review panel

Treasury reaps the rewards from high contribution rates which appear to be pushing disadvantaged students away from university, analysis finds

‘We know best’ mindset perpetuates Indigenous Australians’ isolation from higher education and wealth, report argues

Business leaders might scoff but they benefit most from an educated populace, according to former opposition leader turned vice-chancellor

Under-fire Charles Darwin University decides to concentrate on core business after resignation of vice-chancellor

Minister outlines vision of value over volume, amid debate over imperatives to ‘make a buck’

Quid pro quo recognition of prior learning seen as a ‘game-changing opportunity’ for Australian students and universities

Near-decade of funding instability undermining sector’s capacity to deliver for the nation, representative body claims

Multiple calls to extend Atec’s remit, as the cost of arts degrees edges past A$54K

‘Do it properly or don’t bother,’ commission sceptic advises, as others argue for more chiefs

Universities’ increasing reliance on visa applicants from within the country has so far failed to dent profitability

Interim leaders’ early departure the latest snag in controversial commission’s troubled birth

Financial penalties loom for institutions that fail to crack down on issue as government commits to ‘report card’ system

Australian science lobbyists pin hopes on research and development review, saying ‘one-off’ mini-budget funding boost will not compensate for years of decline

Former administration’s tuition fee reforms undermining Albanese government mission to promote equitable enrolments

Charging interest on loans already repaid would be illegal in other sectors, senator highlights

Epilepsy pioneer vows to target ‘negative view’ of discovery science and ‘mindset’ of expecting the outcomes in advance

First major foray abroad for one of Australia’s top-ranked universities since Singaporean venture closed after just a semester

Reprieve for decades-old institution reflects outpouring of community concern and improvement in university’s financial position

Australia’s new higher education steward may lack the power to overhaul widely opposed system of university fees and subsidies

Canberra’s ‘intergenerational community’ will help educate the young, house the elderly and ease loneliness for both, advocates say

As government finalises legislation for forthcoming commission, architect expands its to-do list

Australia should focus on training required number of fluent experts and leave basic translation to AI, Asia expert says

Government and business should pick up the tab for national priorities, says opposition leader turned university boss

Federal government must ‘take proper responsibility’ for a university sector ‘which in practice it controls’, MPs told

Qantas and McDonald’s move into Australian higher education delivery, offering institutions employer-led pathways and potential new income streams

Most voters believe universities are unduly focused on revenue and their students shoulder an excessive share, survey finds

Possibility of even slower visa processing ranks among the factors fuelling ‘pessimism’ about Australian university finances