The Student Equity Forum is returning for 2025. The Student Equity Forum will provide an update from the Department of Education on the implementation of the Universities Accord, specifically in relation to improving the higher education system with a lens of student equity in a post-election environment. In addition to this, participants will hear from practitioners in the field about what these changes will mean for students and universities.

The logistical details of the panel are outlined below.
Date: Monday 30th June 2025
Time: 13:15pm to 15:45pm
Location: Grand Ballroom, Pullman Cairns International
Cost: $90

Time

Description

13:15pm – 13:30pm

Welcome and Introductions

Acknowledgement of Country

Overview of session
Dr. Kylie Austin

13:30pm – 14:00pm

Entering a new era of higher education governance and funding.
Presentation (15 minutes; 15 minutes Q&A). Focus will be on:

  • ATEC
  • Needs-Based Funding

Danielle Donegan, First Assistant Secretary of Higher Education Stewardship and Funding Division, Australian Government Department of Education.

14:00pm – 14:50pm

Post Election: The Universities Accord and what does this mean for student equity?

Panel – Facilitated by Dr. Kylie Austin.

  • Dr. Nadine Zacharias, Equity by Design
  • Darlene McLennan, ACSES 2025 Research Fellow
  • Dr. Nicola Cull, Incoming EPHEA President
  • Karen Seary, President of NAEEA
  • Professor, Ian Li, Australian Centre for Student Equity & Success
  • Chris Ronan, President SPERA

The panel will each have 10 minutes to prepare a response to the following questions:

  • What excites you about the proposed governance and funding mechanisms and what opportunities does this present for universities and practitioners in supporting students?
  • What are the challenges that you see with the proposed governance and funding mechanisms for universities and how do we overcome these challenges?
  • What impact do you see these changes having on the access and participation of underserved student groups in higher education?
  • If you were a Vice-Chancellor in a university, what would be the one thing that you would prioritise that would make a difference to underserved student groups?

14:50pm – 15:10pm

Q&A to the panel from the audience.

15:10pm – 15:15pm

Wrap up

Promotion of Practitioner Grants by ACSES