The Albanese government is celebrating the passage of the Universities Accord legislation through the Senate. 

It says the Higher Education Support Amendment Bill 2023 marks a transformative step towards creating more opportunities for Australians, providing demand-driven funding for all Indigenous students, ensuring that they can attend university if they meet the admission requirements for their chosen course. 

While this does not make university education free, it guarantees Indigenous students a place at the university if they meet the academic criteria.

Previously, this opportunity was available only to Indigenous students living in regional Australia, but now it extends to all Indigenous students across the country. 

This expansion is part of the Universities Accord Interim Report's recommendation, which predicts that it could double the number of Indigenous students attending university within a decade.

The passage of the Higher Education Support Amendment Bill 2023 has been met with opposition from the Liberal and National parties. They also voted against removing the 50 per cent pass rule, which has disproportionately affected students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those in regional areas.

The elimination of this rule offers support to more students who would otherwise be forced to leave their studies. This legislation mandates that universities establish a support-for-students policy to identify and help students who may be at risk of falling behind in their studies.

The bill also seeks to double the number of University Study Hubs, making tertiary education more accessible to students living outside major cities. The final Universities Accord Report, set to be delivered by the end of the year, will further shape the landscape of higher education in Australia.

Universities Australia has welcomed the passage of the Universities Accord legislation through the Senate. 

The lobby says the removal of the 50 per cent pass rule, introduced under the Job-ready Graduates package, and the introduction of demand-driven funding for all Indigenous students, regardless of their location, are significant steps toward creating a more inclusive education system.

While Universities Australia claims to support these legislative initiatives, it says it wants further engagement with the government on the non-legislative components of the bill. The organisation is concerned that the guidelines underpinning the government's support for students policy may lead to additional regulatory burdens without commensurate benefits for students.

With the progress of the bill, Catriona Jackson, Chief Executive of Universities Australia, has announced her intention to resign, effective from December 22, 2023. 

Her decision comes after seven and a half years at Universities Australia, including five years as Chief Executive. The conclusion of the Australian Universities Accord process is seen as an opportune time for her departure.

The search for a new chief will start soon, Universities Australia said.