Equity Policy Options: Parity Targets, Final Report

Dear colleagues

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest report, Equity Policy Options: Parity Targets, Final Report by the Australian Government Department of Education.

This report contributes to ongoing efforts to ensure equitable outcomes for students from diverse equity groups as we prepare for the proposed expansion in higher education.

The report examines the complex challenge of achieving equity student parity by 2035 or 2050. We outline several policy options for the Government, focusing on key considerations such as timing (2035 vs 2050), target contextualisation (national vs state), and approaches (convergence vs equal effort).

Our modelling reveals the magnitude of this task, highlighting the need for refining equity group definitions, updating population reference rates, and making coordinated and intentional efforts across the entire higher education sector.

I encourage you to read the full report to understand the detailed analysis and recommendations. We believe that by working together, we can make substantial progress towards achieving true equity in higher education.

Sincerely

Associate Professor Gemma Cadby
ACSES Data Program Director

In other news...

Data Updates

Student Equity Data Guides

We have released two Student Equity Data Guides - "Higher Education Institutions in Australia" and "Defining Equity Groups". We hope these guides, and the next to follow ("Equity Performance Measures" and "Selecting and Using Equity Reference Values") can help demystify equity data and provide clarity and practical guidance for stakeholders across the sector. You can find the Student Equity Data Guides and other upcoming data related resources in the Data Resources Hub on our website.

First report for Data Insights Series

We are pleased to share the first report in our new ACSES Data Insights Series: "Students with Disability in Australian Higher Education: An Overview".

Among the report's findings it is revealed that in 2022, 11.6% of undergraduate students reported having a disability, with figures varying from 5.2% to 20.3% across institutions.

Of those students:

47% disclosed mental health conditions
27.3% cited medical conditions
18.2% identified other forms of disability

This comprehensive report provides vital insights into the diverse experiences of students with disabilities across the sector and is also available in the Data Resources Hub on our website.

Additional gender categories for Tertiary Collection of Student Information

It is great to see that students will now be able to choose from additional gender categories from 2025 onwards.

The Tertiary Collection of Student Information will soon be updated to align with the Australian Bureau of Statistics statistical standard, offering the following options:

Women/Female
Man/Male
Non-binary
Different term
Prefer not to answer

This update ensures better inclusivity, allowing for more accurate data collection on gender diversity. It also supports future gender-related policies, responds to requests from students and staff, and aligns with existing practices at some institutions.

The new categories will be part of reporting requirements for 2026, with implementation starting mid-2025.

Apply now for our Visiting Scholars Program 2025

Applications are now open for the Visiting Scholars Program 2025. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers at all career stages are encouraged to apply. The ACSES Visiting Scholars Program aims to support the establishment of linkages and collaborative research projects between higher education equity researchers and ACSES.

Applications for the ACSES Visiting Scholars Program 2025 close at 4pm (AWST) on Friday, 29 November 2024, and outcomes will be announced in late January 2025.

For more information on the ACSES Visiting Scholars Program, including details on how to apply, visit our website.

We're hiring! Join our Trials and Evaluation team

We have an exciting opportunity for an Equity Evaluator to join our Trials and Evaluation team.

In this role, you will primarily support the development and implementation of evaluations designed to examine what works in student equity in higher education, manage equity evaluations commissioned by ACSES throughout their project life cycle, and support the development and dissemination of resources to enhance evaluation capabilities in the Australian higher education sector.

A proven understanding of quality evaluation practice principles (such as randomised control trials and quasi-experimental design) within the context of the higher education and equity sectors coupled with demonstrated program management and critical analysis skills will make you the perfect candidate for this role.

Applications close on Friday 25 October 2024, 10am (AWST).

View the full position description here and visit the Curtin University website to apply.

Close up of hands of two people, one pointing at an open book in front of them, the other holding a pencil ready to write. Text above image: Equity Frontiers Program. Funding and support for your trials. Text below image: Expressions of Interest now invited. acses.edu.au

Equity Frontiers Program: Funding and support for your trials

In response to feedback from the sector, our Equity Frontiers funding scheme has been redesigned to make it easier for equity practitioners to access support to run trials on their nominated equity programs or activities. Key changes are removing fixed deadlines so people can apply for funding at any time, and introducing an Expression of Interest stage to help applicants work through their approach and, if required, seek support in designing and running the trial.

We are accepting Expressions of Interest now. You can find the Equity Frontiers Program Guidelines and an Expression of Interest template for download on the ACSES website.

Upcoming events

Trials for Equity: A Workshop (QLD)

ACSES is delivering a three-hour workshop on Wednesday, 9 October 2024. In this workshop, Dr Patricia Vermillion Peirce will facilitate a discussion with equity practitioners, learning about the equity practices that are currently underway across Queensland universities, and identifying those programs that may be of greatest value to trial for the benefit of our equity cohorts.

To explore the potential opportunity to undertake an ethical trial, ACSES will also workshop some challenging concepts relevant to trials.

Date: 9 October 2024 | Time: 9.30 am – 12.30 pm (AEDT)
Location: Griffith University, South Brisbane