The Productivity Commission has five live inquiries on lifting national Multi Factor Productivity, which increased a lamentable 0.1 % over 2023-24 – and invites first thoughts.
Universities Australia has plenty. Some are specifically on-brief, such as adopting a national skills taxonomy to create a system of credit transfer; and recognition of prior learning across all post compulsory education and training.
But other proposals assume what is good for universities is good for the nation. Like ending the Job Ready Graduates Funding model, to make course fees fairer and reinstate funding per Commonwealth supported place. And increasing government research and development outlays, including adding 50 cents on the research grant dollar for indirect costs. Plus “grow Australia’s international education sector sustainably without reducing its size or value.”
The Group of Eight warns, “the clock is ticking” on improving productivity if we are to “remain a prosperous nation.” Fortunately, the Go8 is here to help, referring the PC to three previous proposals and specifying two “immediate reforms.”
- diversify international research funding by the government “pursuing association” with the EU Horizon Europe R&D scheme
- create “formal R&D partnerships between small businesses and research institutions (to) focus on R&D activity much earlier in the technology readiness cycle.”
Neither lobby mentions anything their members could do to reform the range of courses, improve student satisfaction with teaching or contain overall staff costs.