Labor’s Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has committed to abolishing the 50% pass rate rule that currently prevents failing students from accessing HECS-HELP support as part of a suite of other higher education reforms designed to make the sector more equitable.

The Australian Universities Accord Interim Report released today announced five policy priorities aimed at increasing higher education participation from underrepresented groups including those who are First Nations, disabled, regionally located or of low socioeconomic status.

Introduced as part of the controversial 2020 Job Ready Graduates (JRG) policy package, the report cites the disproportionate disadvantage inflicted on underrepresented students as the reason for scrapping the 50% pass rule, and recommends considering further changes to other aspects of the package

“While the Review believes other aspects of the JRG package need reform, this change should proceed at the first possible opportunity”, the report states.

The government will work with universities to extend access to regional communities through establishing more Regional University Centres and will develop a similar strategy for suburban areas.

As part of a commitment to put “First Nations at the heart of Australia’s higher education system,” the government will also guarantee a Commonwealth Supported Place for all First Nations students, including those from metropolitan areas who are ineligible under current guarantees for regional and remote students.

The Higher Education Continuity Guarantee, which guarantees Commonwealth subsidies to public universities, will also be extended through to 2025 until a new funding arrangement can be implemented. National Cabinet will also engage state and territory governments on university governance, with a specific focus on restructuring governing boards to prioritise expertise in higher education, improving staff and student wellbeing, and ensuring universities act as “exemplary employers”.

Beyond these “five modest, sensible priority actions to be considered immediately,” the interim report lists multiple other policy areas that will require further consideration in the future: equity in university access, addressing skills shortages and fostering educational excellence and international engagement.

“The overall goal of reform must be growth for skills through greater equity,” states the report’s preamble.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has welcomed these changes, but called for the government to commit to further student-centred reforms, including federally legislating a Duty of Care for tertiary institutions, lowering the Centrelink Age of Independence to 18 and raising Youth Allowance payments to $88 a day.

“The Labor government missed an opportunity to end student poverty during the 2023 Federal Budget, or to commit to support students financially in the short-term. The NUS urges the Government to guarantee that there will be positive changes for students as part of the Universities Accord, and not to delay much needed support any further”, said NUS President Bailey Riley.

This interim report is the first report of the Universities Accord formed last year to build a long-term plan for Australia’s higher education sector. The Accord’s final report releases in December.