AHISA SUBMISSION

Department of Education, Skills and Employment

17 August 2020

Job-ready Graduates Package draft legislation consultation

The Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates Package proposes significant reforms to Australia’s tertiary education sector.

While welcoming reform proposals that expand tertiary education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students from regional, rural and remote areas, AHISA’s submission also expresses concern over the potential impact of aspects of the reform package on school students enrolled in Years 10 to 12 in 2020.

AHISA makes two recommendations to avoid undermining the post-school pathways of students: 
1. That the introduction of proposed changes to the mix of Commonwealth/student contributions to courses in Law & Economics, Management & Commerce, Social Studies, Political Science & Behavioural Science, and Communications (which would see dramatic increases to student contributions) be delayed until 2023 to: 
a) Ensure 2020 Year 10, 11 and 12 student cohorts are not disadvantaged by their current subject choices
b) Allow time for considered revision of this aspect of the Job-ready Graduates Package.
2. That consideration be given to bringing forward the proposed increase in the number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) to ensure both population growth and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school leavers’ post-school education aspirations are accounted for in meeting student demand.

Job-ready Graduates Package draft legislation – DESE consultation