Tertiary education

The Australian tertiary education sector continues to struggle with the demands of mass higher education, and the ongoing need for responsive, accessible vocational education and training (VET). Decades of reform have not yet delivered a sustainable tertiary education sector that presents a seamless array of options to meet student and employer needs. Now, the sector faces its biggest challenge brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the fall out significantly impacting the opportunities of Australian students.

Our work looks at participation in tertiary education to understand barriers to access, and how well Australia is equipping itself for current and future skills needs.

Key contacts

Peter Hurley

Director, Mitchell Institute

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.

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.

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?

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%.

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.

41% reduction in student fail rates under innovative new university 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.

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.

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.

International students head to the UK, USA in record numbers

14 December 2021

While Australia’s university education sector is in crisis, countries with open borders are experiencing an international student revival.

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Tertiary education

Key contacts

Return of international students highlights increasing gaps between universities

Election 2022: Higher Education Policy Brief

Election Policy Brief: VET

Uni fail rate falls by 40% with block model

Inside the black box of the VU Block Model

41% reduction in student fail rates under innovative new university model

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

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

International students head to the UK, USA in record numbers