Higher education is more important to the future of Australia’s industry, businesses and families than ever before. It is key to enhancing equality and delivering social and economic mobility for generations of Australians. It transforms lives and provides people with the skills and opportunities to engage in a modern economy. It is a key source of innovation for business and industry, central to Australia’s successful economic transition and a valuable export.

For these reasons it is essential that higher education policy settings drive innovation and areas of specialisation across our universities; embed fairness and equitable access to university for all Australians; ensure global excellence amongst our universities; and are financially sustainable and affordable into the long term.