Following the Federal Government’s release of the 2024-25 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), I wanted to share some key updates regarding future funding and policy changes impacting the higher education sector.

The MYEFO update highlighted the Australian Universities Accord, with the Government committing additional funding to support its recommendations. A significant development is the introduction of Managed Growth Funding and a new approach to higher education equity funding for universities, set to commence in 2026 (subject to legislative approval).

This initiative is designed to manage growth in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) while addressing the diverse needs of students, particularly those from under-represented backgrounds. We are encouraged by the Government’s focus on supporting students who are the first in their family to attend university, First Nations people, those from regional and remote areas, and people living with a disability. While we await further details, the commitment to targeted funding is a positive step forward for equitable access to higher education.

In addition, the Federal Government announced the removal of Ministerial Direction 107 (MD107), which has guided the visa processing framework for international students. This policy will be replaced by Ministerial Direction 111. The new direction aims to create a fairer and more equitable visa processing system for all tertiary education providers.

We commend the Government for addressing this longstanding issue and implementing a more equitable framework. This change provides much-needed clarity and stability for international student operations as we move into 2025.

The ISANA Council welcomes these developments and looks forward to collaborating with both sides of Government to support policies that ensure the sustainability and growth of the international education sector. We are also committed to contributing to the implementation of broader recommendations outlined in the Accord.