Degree fees get overhaul

A MAJOR shake-up of universities is looming following the Federal Government’s overhaul of degree pricing after the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan yesterday announced teaching, nursing, psychology, agriculture and maths degrees would be offered at a reduced price to help bolster those industries.

Mr Tehan told the National Press Club COVID-19 had forced the country to “double down” on the jobs that would be in demand in the future.

He said the Federal Government would provide an additional 39,000 university places by 2023 and 100,000 places by 2030.

“Projections prepared before the COVID-19 pandemic showed that over the five years to 2024, it is expected that the overwhelming majority of new jobs will require tertiary qualifications – and almost half of all new jobs will go to someone with a bachelor or higher qualification,” Mr Tehan said.

He added that health care was projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth, with science and technology, education and construction following.

“These four industries are projected to provide 62 per cent of total employment growth over the next five years. This is part of a longterm structural shift,” he said.

“Universities must teach Australians the skills needed to succeed in the jobs of the future.”

Students who study teaching, nursing, clinical psychology, English and languages will pay 46 per cent less for their degrees with the Government’s new model.

Agriculture and maths students will pay 62 per cent less; and science, health, architecture, environmental science, IT and engineering will pay 20 per cent less.

But law and commerce students will contribute 28 per cent more, and humanities 113 per cent more.

Mr Tehan said the Federal Government would support regional, remote and indigenous students undertaking high-level tertiary studies.

“We will grow university places in regional Australia by 3.5 per cent a year,” he said.

“And we will also support regional universities to better serve their local communities.”

A James Cook University spokesman said the university was considering the detail of the Federal Government’s announcement.

“The university welcomes the proposed reduction in students’ fees for some courses, but is concerned about any increase in students’ fees for those studying humanities,” he said.

“JCU also welcomes measures to increase participation for students living in regional and remote (areas), and (for) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.”

UNIVERSITIES MUST TEACH AUSTRALIANS THE SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE