A 53: Tasmania Branch (TAS)

Tertiary Education
Motion:

That ICPA (Aust) urges the Federal Government to implement the recommendations from the Education in remote and complex environments Report relating to rural and remote tertiary students.

Explanation:

Rural and remote students continue to face many barriers in their pursuit of a tertiary education and these have been highlighted in reviews that have been undertaken nationally. The Education in remote and complex environments Report recommended that the government announce an implementation plan for the recommendations and actions from the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education (Halsey Review) and National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy (Napthine Review). The reports have recommended measures that would improve the pathway of tertiary education for rural and remote students. While some measures that have been implemented including the Tertiary Access Payment, the Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships, the Regional University Centres and improvements to the Fares Allowance have benefited and been greatly appreciated by rural and remote tertiary students, other recommendations from the National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy (Napthine Review) need to be implemented to ensure improved participation, achievement and affordability for rural and remote students aspiring and undertaking tertiary education.

Implementation of all the recommendations would make a significant difference including:

  • the access to Youth Allowance as an independent for rural and remote students who successfully complete their first year of tertiary study externally if they relocate to continue study for a further minimum of one year,
  • the reduction of the earnings required for rural and remote students who are qualifying for independent Youth Allowance under the Concessional Workforce test and
  • the review of the changes to the parental means test cut-offs for independent Youth Allowance under the Concessional Workforce test.
CARRIED