木瓜影院 welcomes today鈥檚 passage of the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026, strengthened by amendments secured following sector advocacy.
The Bill lays the foundations for expanding university opportunity, but delivering on that ambition will require ongoing and expanded funding for growth in places, said 木瓜影院 Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy.
鈥淎ustralia needs more people going to university.
鈥淭he Accord made clear that by 2050, 80 per cent of working-age Australians will need a tertiary qualification, up from around 60 per cent today.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always supported the ambition behind this Bill, and we pushed for changes to make it stronger.
鈥淭hese changes provide greater certainty that existing student places will be protected, establish a floor under the total pool of places and strengthen safeguards for university autonomy. I thank the Government, Coalition and the Greens for working constructively together to improve this Bill.鈥
Passing the Bill is an important milestone, but the focus must now shift to funding the places needed to meet Australia鈥檚 future skills needs, Mr Sheehy said.
鈥淥pening the door is important. But doors only create opportunity if people can walk through them.
鈥淚f we want more teachers, nurses, engineers and other skilled workers, we need more funded university places.
鈥淭he ambition of the Accord can only be realised if growth is matched with funding.
鈥淢ore opportunity is good for students, good for communities and good for the economy.鈥
ENDS
