Consultation on Job-ready Graduates legislation

Draft legislation to implement the Job-ready Graduates package of reform to the higher education system has been published for consultation. 

The legislation will create 100,000 additional university places for Australian students, make degrees cheaper in areas of expected future job growth and better align the true cost of a degree to taxpayers and students. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said Australia’s post-COVID recovery would be built on the success of our educated and highly-skilled workforce. 

“Our Government has a plan to grow the economy and deliver jobs,” Mr Tehan said. 

“The Job-ready Graduates package will increase the number of university places for Australian students and strengthen the focus on teaching students the skills they need to succeed in the jobs of the future. 

“Our reforms will make it cheaper for students to study qualifications in areas like teaching, health, IT, science, engineering, and agriculture. 

“It will also better align the cost to taxpayers and students of a degree with the cost to the university of teaching. 

“The legislation reforms will also strengthen engagement between universities and industry to work together to deliver better targeted work placements and research that drives productivity improvements and innovation.” 

The exposure draft is available for public consultation at https://dese.gov.au/job-ready- graduates-package-draft-legislation-consultation ahead of the Government introducing legislation to Parliament. A discussion paper and frequently asked questions about the Job-Ready Graduates package is also available at https://www.dese.gov.au/job-ready.