Budget should give universities more flexibility on student contributions

Ross Guest writes in The Conversation (4.4.16) about likely implications for universities and higher education students from the federal government’s upcoming budget.

‘The Australian government is committed to making inroads into its A$36 billion budget deficit in the forthcoming May budget. Universities and students will not escape unscathed.

‘While the 2014 fee deregulation plan was shelved late last year, the 20% reduction in tuition subsidies is still baked into the budget forward estimates. The government is not likely to walk away from this and will be under pressure to provide universities with the means to recover at least part of the budget cuts.

‘The most likely option for the government at this stage is to increase the student contribution limits.’

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