The Federal Budget delivered last night has significant implications for our marginalised and disadvantaged students. No images? Click here Advancing equity in higher educationInsights from Budget 2025-26Dear Colleagues The Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) welcomes the 2025 Budget, which contains general and targeted measures that will improve outcomes for disadvantaged students. The additional $2.5 billion in higher education funding announced in the Budget is to be spent over a 10-year period to switch to a different funding system based on managed growth—this is a big step in the right direction. Investing in more Commonwealth Supported Places and better support for students with disability will help create a fairer university system. Meanwhile, cost-of-living pressures remain a significant challenge for students and a barrier to success. So, general relief measures in energy and healthcare will ease some of that pressure for students. Recent ACSES-funded research shows in detail the financial pressures and trade-offs facing students today. But the big gains flow from the 20 per cent reduction in student debt before indexation, wiping $16 billion from outstanding student loans, following on from existing changes to student loan indexation. Together, these reforms will reduce $19 billion in student debt for more than three million Australians. The official commencement of the National Student Ombudsman last month marked a significant step towards strengthening student protections, while the planned Australian Tertiary Education Commission points to a bigger shift in higher education growth and accountability. At ACSES, we continue to provide evidence-based
strategies to help universities close equity gaps and improve student experiences. Real change requires a collective effort, and we are committed to working alongside the sector to make "Universities For All" a reality. ![]() |