The big changes are yet to be seen

In this reflective article on the future of higher education, the author discusses two major changes that will impact Australian universities: firstly, a drop in the number of potential students, and secondly, their large international market coming under increasing pressure. The author argues that allowing market demand to drive rationalisation is more efficient and carries less political risk than having the Federal government move load. It is proposed that such an approach could be achieved relatively easily by the adoption of a voucher system whereby students, armed with their government supported places, could apply for entry to any university. The university would not have a cap on its number of places, and in a further level of deregulation, the university could be allowed to charge whatever additional fee they thought appropriate. Another issue driving change is quality, which is already evidenced by the Research Quality Framework and the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund