The Mitchell Institute monitors the performance of Australia's education system, with a specific focus on developing and advocating for policies that reduce inequality.

Our work identifies who is experiencing reduced opportunities in education, the factors driving inequality and the policy solutions that will provide greater opportunities for all young people to succeed in education and their life beyond.

Key contacts

Peter Hurley
Education Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute
Students jumping for joy

Election 2022: Higher Education Policy Brief

17 May 2022

As the sector seeks to recover from the pandemic, both major parties are offering similar policy options, presenting versions of support for domestic places in courses aligned to specific employment outcomes.

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Early childhood teaching student smiles at kindergarten child
Report

Election 2022: Early Childhood Education & Care Policy Brief

10 May 2022

Cost of living pressures and debates about women’s social and economic security mean early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a key election battleground.

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Paper

Election Policy Brief: VET

29 April 2022

After a series of prolonged lockdowns and closed borders, skills shortages are making vocational education and training a prominent election issue. But what are the major parties policies?

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Opinion

More than 1 million Australians have no access to childcare in their area

22 March 2022

The Conversation: About 9 million Australians, 35% of the population, live in neighbourhoods classified as childcare deserts – populated areas where there are more than three children per childcare place.

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Report

Childcare deserts & oases: How accessible is childcare in Australia?

22 March 2022

More than nine million Australians live in an area where there are insufficient childcare places for families, according to the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken into childcare availability in Australia.

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Opinion

Uni fail rate falls by 40% with block model

16 February 2022

The Conversation: A Mitchell Institute report shines a light on how quality teaching and innovation in universities can dramatically improve learning, and cut the fail rate for first-year students by around 40%.

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Report

Inside the black box of the VU Block Model

16 February 2022

The VU Block Model structure improves student retention and pass rates, especially for those from disadvantaged backgrounds a new study released today from Victoria University has found.

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Opinion

International students are coming back & it’s not just universities sighing with relief

15 February 2022

The Conversation: International students are returning to Australia after almost two years of closed borders with almost 30,000 arriving in the first six weeks after the Australian government opened the border to them.

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Opinion

International student numbers hit record highs for some, while Australia continues to fall

14 December 2021

The Conversation: International students are heading to Canada, the UK and the US in record numbers despite the pandemic, new research by the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University shows.

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