The reforms are designed to increase participation and success for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, First Nations students and those living in regional and rural Australia.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the Government’s ambition strongly aligns with the University’s founding mission to create opportunity through higher education.
"La Trobe was founded on the belief that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. These important reforms are about changing that," Professor Farrell said.
"Our mission is deeply aligned with the Government's ambition to ensure more students from regional Australia, outer metropolitan communities and disadvantaged backgrounds can access university."
"For Australia to meet its future workforce and productivity needs, we must increase access to higher education and ensure there is enough growth in the system. Subject to closer scrutiny of the detail, this legislation is an important step towards that vision."
Professor Farrell said managed growth and needs-based funding would better align higher education with future skills needs and give universities greater capacity to support students to succeed.
"Access alone is not enough. Students must be supported to complete their studies and thrive, particularly those who may need additional academic, financial or wellbeing support to reach graduation."
As Victoria's only statewide university, La Trobe educates students across metropolitan Melbourne and regional campuses in Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura, Shepparton and beyond.
More than 40 per cent of La Trobe students are the first in their family to attend university, while around one quarter come from regional, rural or remote Australia.
Professor Farrell said the reforms complement La Trobe's Strategic Plan and Regional Growth and Innovation Strategy, which set targets to expand participation across regional Victoria and increase graduates in areas of critical national need, including health and education.
"Our investments in health and education are designed to produce more nurses, teachers, allied health professionals and other graduates Australia's communities urgently need."
"Our Regional Growth and Innovation Strategy is focused on reducing the higher education participation gap between metropolitan and regional Australians, because your background should not determine whether you succeed."
"La Trobe looks forward to working with the Australian Government and the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to deliver the ambitions of the Universities Accord and ensure more Australians can access higher education and graduate ready for successful careers."
Media enquiries:
Claire Bowers on c.bowers@latrobe.edu.au or media@latrobe.edu.au
