Universities lay out the election policies they want to see from both sides

Australia’s university sector is placing pressure on the Federal Government and Opposition to deliver election policies aimed at securing a strong future for the nation’s higher education institutions.

Umbrella group Universities Australia (UA) has released its 2025 Federal Election Statement, which urges both major parties to be bold and ambitious in their vision and support for Australia’s universities.

With next year’s election on the horizon, UA is using its statement to outline how universities can help the next federal government build what it says will be a “stronger, more prosperous Australia” through cooperation between government and universities.

Universities Australia chief executive officer Luke Sheehy said the key message was that universities mattered to Australia’s future.

“They’re pivotal in preparing us for the challenges ahead,” he said.

“From rapid digitalisation and the adoption of new technologies to shifts in our industrial base and geopolitical change.

“The decisions made by the next federal government, and subsequent ones, will shape Australia’s ability to manage and prosper from these big shifts underway in our economy.”

Mr Sheehy said we needed a bigger skilled workforce and more research and development to “power Australia’s progress so no-one is left behind”.

“Our universities are national assets and should be treated as such, receiving bipartisan support to grow and succeed in the national interest.”

UA says priorities outlined in the statement are a wishlist for universities to ensure their financial stability and support their growth.

This means re-establishment of the Education Investment Fund.

Other priorities outlined include: breaking down barriers to tertiary education so all Australians can access an education; investing in research and development to drive national progress; strengthening the foundation of Australia’s world-class international education sector; and implementing Indigenous-related recommendations in the Australian Universities Accord.

The UA election statement says Australia’s universities have a critical role to play in preparing the nation for major challenges and opportunities.

It says universities are already delivering real impact across the country, from producing the skilled graduates our economy needs to undertaking the research and development that will take our country forward.

It also notes Australia’s universities are the lifeblood of the communities where they are situated, employing about 130,000 Australians nationwide and supporting local economies.

“Digitalisation and the adoption of new technologies, shifts in our industrial base, the energy transformation, demographic change and serious geopolitical uncertainty,” the statement reads. “These are the major forces, trends and transitions that will impact the Australian economy over the coming decades.

“Australia’s success will come down to how we manage and maximise these big shifts that are underway.

“The next federal government, and subsequent ones, will have defining decisions to make to ensure our country has its best years ahead of it.

“Achieving this will require a stronger focus on high-level skills, harnessing new technologies effectively and using research to drive economic growth and prosperity.”

Mr Sheehy said Labor and the Coalition should take to the election policy priorities that ensured the nation’s universities could thrive for the benefit of all Australians.

“Reforming our higher education sector in line with the Australian Universities Accord is essential to Australia’s future productivity and economic growth,” he said.

“We have no choice but to grow and improve our university system – Australia needs more of what our institutions do on behalf of all Australians, and quickly.

“But we need our universities to be match fit to deliver for the nation, which is why we want to work closely and collaboratively with both major parties to ensure our sector is supported into the future.”

The sector is currently having a tense time with Labor, saying the government’s efforts to cut the number of international students studying in Australia are hurting the economy.

“Our economy is stuck in low gear and the handbrake on international education is a big reason for that,” Mr Sheehy said.

“International students drove half of Australia’s economic growth last year.

“It makes no sense to put a handbrake on a $50 billion industry that fuels our economy, especially when other sectors are struggling.”