Opportunities and challenges in creating a universal tertiary system: first progress report

An Expert Panel was established in April 2009 to advise the Victorian Government on the development and implementation of a Tertiary Education Plan for Victoria. The Victorian Government saw development of this Plan as a huge opportunity to shape the future of tertiary education in Victoria and, indeed, Australia. There were three early priorities for the Panel: unmet demand, outer urban and regional provision and the architecture of the national regulatory agency. The Panel were asked to make practical recommendations in relation to infrastructure, urban and regional planning, reaching Commonwealth targets, cross-sector collaboration, alternative access pathways for school leavers and mature age people and ongoing and repeat participation in tertiary education. This progress report on the work of the Expert Panel provides preliminary data that the Panel is using to inform its understanding of the higher education landscape in Victoria. The data here enables the Panel to assess the broad trends over the past few years and directions in which Victoria needs to progress in the future. However, finer detail will be required and the information will be refined by further and more in-depth analysis of the key issues being considered by the Panel for its final report. Contents of the progress report provide overviews of the current landscape; growth projections in student demand and labour market demand; industry demand; meeting the targets; outer urban, regional and low [socioeconomic status] SES provision and participation; unmet demand; university selection instruments; and the Panel’s future work. Show less