by: Mine Racho

In our recent webinar, our Senior Consultant, Higher Education, Emma Laurence was joined by Higher Education sector leaders Dr. Dino Willox (University of Queensland), Professor Peter Radoll (La Trobe University), and Annika Danielsson (Flinders University), where they explored challenges and opportunities facing Australian universities under the Accord, with particular focus on widening participation efforts for equity groups.

In the webinar, the panel highlighted the opportunities that the Accord’s goals can be aligned with practical policy implementation, particularly in relation to support services policies and the changes anticipated with upcoming reforms.

Several key themes were discussed around the challenges and opportunities in achieving equity and inclusivity in higher education:

Holistic Support and Universal Design – The panel emphasized the need for inclusive education systems that address institutional barriers and consider intersectionality, ensuring support structures are responsive to diverse student needs.

Comprehensive Funding Models – There were concerns about needs-based funding neglecting essential support services. The panel advocated for broad-based, data-driven funding models to ensure equity without focusing too narrowly on participation.

Collaboration and Career Development – Cross-institutional collaboration, like the Queensland Consortium model, was seen as essential for meeting participation targets, especially for regional students. Early career development and employability support were also highlighted as crucial for student success.

Regional Hubs and Community Engagement – Regional hubs were recognized for increasing Indigenous and underrepresented student participation, with a focus on fostering belonging and providing equitable access to university experiences. Successful initiatives like the student-led neurodiversity hub and Aboriginal language programs were noted.

The panel also discussed challenges posed by shifting demand for higher education and the risk of students accumulating debt, highlighting the complexity of achieving true equity in a competitive market. There were also calls for a more comprehensive overhaul of funding models, shifting the focus from financial incentives to viewing education as a moral good.

As reforms continue to unfold, ensuring inclusive support structures and effective collaboration between institutions will be critical in fostering equitable outcomes for all students.

Watch the full webinar below. You can also watch our previous webinars, and upcoming ones on our Events and Webinars page.