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
Director, Mitchell Institute
Plane at Melbourne airport.
Opinion

Return of international students highlights increasing gaps between universities

3 November 2022

Data shows international students are returning to Australia, but this growth is not shared equally around the university sector.

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High school students at a lecture.
Paper

Reinvigorating & reimagining our schools: A vision for post-pandemic schooling in Australia

31 May 2022

The future of Australian education must move beyond post-COVID recovery to reinvigoration.

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Opinion

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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News

Huge variation across electorates in childhood development & childcare cost & access

10 May 2022

New Mitchell Institute analysis shows which electorates across Australia have the most expensive childcare, least childcare access and the most children that are developmentally at risk.

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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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News

Landmark report: A third of Australians living in childcare deserts

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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Child waters plats in a garden
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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