‘Growth for skills through greater equity’

Victoria University (VU) today welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s Universities Accord interim report into higher education, particularly its focus on equitable access.

The University commended the Minister’s ambitious approach to improving equity participation targets, including a plan to extend access to students from the outer suburbs and regions, ensuring all First Nations students are eligible for a funded university place regardless of where they live, and ceasing the 50 per cent pass rule, which disproportionally disadvantaged students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

As a leading dual-sector university that has offered innovative, high-quality, and inclusive education in Melbourne's West and beyond for more than a century, VU has a demonstrated commitment to equity and progressive inclusivity – with 34 per cent student equity participation that by far exceeds the national average of 17 per cent and the national target of 20 per cent.

In the Good Universities Guide’s past five editions no other metro-based university has performed as well as VU in the First Generation rating - which is the proportion of domestic students commencing a bachelor degree whose parents’ education is known and did not exceed Year 12.

VU also welcomes long-term plans of greater integration between vocational education and training and higher education, including creating new types of qualifications combining both.

In addition, VU strongly supports the development of more work-integrated learning in more courses, including degree apprenticeships, and financial support for students doing compulsory placements.

Acting VU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov said: “Today, Minister Clare brought into sharp focus the urgent need to improve access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, Indigenous students and those with a disability.

With over 50 per cent of VU’s student population being the first in family to attend university, equity and progressive inclusivity is at the core of everything we do. The immediate actions articulated today by Minister Clare speak directly to what VU is working hard to achieve.

“Since the introduction of our innovative education offering, the VU Block Model® in 2018, we have seen our pass rates for non-English speaking students improve by 16 per cent and low socioeconomic students improve by 18.7 per cent.

“The Australian Universities Accord presents us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put students and their student experience at the heart of higher education reform.

“Having witnessed how the VU Block Model^® can successfully transform the lives of the students that we serve – especially our equity cohorts – we are as enthusiastic as the Government to ensure that we do all we can to make sure education is a life transforming experience available to all.”

The full Australian Universities Accord report will be released in December 2023.