The Australian Government’s 2024–25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) delivers the next steps in the largest overhaul of the tertiary education system in 15 years. These measures aim to address critical challenges in access, equity, and workforce readiness while transforming the way universities operate.
As the Australian tertiary education sector undergoes significant reforms, Symplicity is uniquely positioned to support institutions during this pivotal time. Our solutions enable universities to:
- Proactively and automatically reach out to students with known risk indicators.
- Enhance student support and success.
- Improve equity and accessibility.
- Deliver data-driven insights for strategic decision-making.
- Foster employability and workforce readiness.
Below is a concise summary of key reforms and how Symplicity’s product suite supports universities in aligning with these national priorities.
Key Reforms from 2024–25 MYEFO
|
Category |
Highlights |
|
Goals & Investments |
- Ambitious Attainment Target: 80% of Australians to hold a tertiary qualification by 2050. - $2.5 Billion Investment: Over 10 years to support Managed Growth and Needs-based Funding systems. |
|
Access & Equity |
- Needs-based Funding: Directing funding to underrepresented groups, including low SES and First Nations students. - Expansion of Study Hubs: Doubling Regional and Suburban hubs to bring higher education closer to communities. - Disability Support: Quadrupling the Higher Education Disability Support Fund (+$40M/year). |
|
Cost of Living Relief |
- HELP Debt Reduction: A one-time 20% cut in HELP debts for over 3 million Australians. - Fairer Repayment System: The threshold was raised to $67,000 with repayments based only on income above this level. - Expanded Tertiary Access Payment: Making higher education more affordable for regional students. |
|
Structural Reforms |
- Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC): Launching in 2026 to oversee systemic reforms and equity participation. - Managed Growth Funding: Supporting 80,000 additional funded university places by 2035. |
|
Workforce & Skills |
- Free TAFE Expansion: 100,000 places annually by 2027 to address workforce gaps. - Medical and Regional Education Support: Additional CSPs for rural and regional medical programs. |
|
Diversity and Safety |
- Gender-Based Violence Prevention: National Code for safer campuses. - Respect at Uni Study: Addressing racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia across universities. |
How Symplicity's Products Align with the Accord Goals
Employability Product Suite: CSM, CareerHub, and UniHub
The reforms emphasize workforce readiness and equitable access, and Symplicity’s tools are pivotal in addressing these priorities:
- CSM Enterprise: Tracks graduate employability outcomes, aligns career services with workforce needs, and supports reporting tied to Managed Growth Funding and Needs-based Funding.
- CareerHub: Connects students with job opportunities, internships, and career resources to enhance transition into the workforce.
- UniHub: Provides centralized management of student services and data analytics, ensuring accountability in meeting equity goals. Supporting also, automated outreach to students with known risk indicators.
Student Wellbeing Product Suite: Advocate and Access
Addressing the Accord’s focus on diversity, safety, and inclusion, Symplicity’s wellbeing tools provide critical support:
- Advocate: Enables trauma-informed complaint resolution to comply with the National Code on Gender-Based Violence and fosters safer campus environments.
- Access: Facilitates equitable access for students with disabilities, aligning with the expanded Disability Support Fund to enhance inclusion and outcomes.
Key Implementation Milestones
|
Year |
Milestones |
|
2025 |
- FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses launch (January). - National Student Ombudsman operational (February). - HELP debt reduction (June). |
|
2026 |
- ATEC established (January). - Managed Growth and Needs-based Funding rollout. |
|
2027 |
- Full implementation of Managed Growth Funding system. |
Driving Impact Through Symplicity
The 2024–25 MYEFO underscores the urgency of addressing Australia’s skills and equity challenges through transformative reforms. Symplicity’s solutions are designed to help universities thrive in this changing landscape by:
- Supporting student success and retention through streamlined services.
- Ensuring institutions meet equity and funding compliance goals.
- Preparing graduates for high-demand careers with tailored career services.
- Enhancing campus safety and inclusivity with robust well-being tools.
Symplicity is committed to empowering institutions to deliver on the Australian Universities Accord’s ambitious vision.
For more information on how Symplicity can support your institution, contact Mark Pink, Sales Director APAC mpink@symplicity.com.
