Terms of Reference: Rethinking post-compulsory education in Australia
Rory Hume
Rethinking post-compulsory education in Australia
Australia will advance as a fair, democratic, prosperous and enterprising nation, a good global citizen that promotes human progress at home and abroad. Its citizens will benefit from strong economic growth, resilient public institutions, competitive industries, plentiful jobs and strong social support in a nation built on education, expertise, curiosity, innovation and enterprise. They will have access to work that is meaningful and productive, in an open and cohesive society that supports high living standards for all.
- The Commission will consider possible models for the future of the Australian post-compulsory education system of vocational, higher and lifelong learning, and present evidence to inform policy making and help shape national debate;
- The Commission will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current Australian system by comparing it with other international systems; and by considering recent developments in workforce roles and skills, and credentials for jobs and careers;
- As an independent inquiry, the Commission will represent its findings and proposals in a fair and balanced way. The options it presents will consider:
- Future types of work and the role of skills and expertise: how best to provide mass-scale, life-long access to post-compulsory study, job preparation, periodic retraining and career credentials
- Research and development ecosystems: how diverse tertiary institutions, governments, business enterprises and social enterprises can work together to lead progress through innovation
- Stable system governance: how the planning, funding and regulatory roles of state and federal governments and intermediary bodies can ensure strategic oversight of the sector’s efficiency and effectiveness, and its risk profile in domestic and international markets
- Sustainable sector financing: how best to combine public funding, private fees, student loans, price regulation and market exposure to ensure a diverse, dynamic and sustainable sector;
- The Commission will request a number of expert papers to compare systems, examine issues, identify options and develop potential future models;
- The Commission will host seminars that bring together policy experts and influencers, government, business and community leaders, education and training sector practitioners, and other stakeholders to inform and debate design and reform options;
- The Commission will run for 12 to 18 months. At the end of the agreed period it will deliver a final report to Monash University. The University will make the Commission’s report public, along with other publishable artefacts such as expert papers.