JRG was unpopular from the start – lobbies are looking for change  

HASS and science peak bodies urge the government to address the funding model for Commonwealth Supported Places in the Job Ready Graduates policy it inherited from the coalition.

HASS deans want arts UGs to pay less than the present top rate, which they do now – $14 6000 arguing this is based on ideological antipathy, the government contributes $1109 per student place (CMM May 27).  The deans of science complain low student fees ($8021) and Commonwealth funding ($16 396) are inadequate incentives to teach STEM (CMM June 1).

Education Minister Jason Clare has cover for now, given the coalition committed to a yet to appear review of JRG, but appeasing existing losers could upset JRG winners ( for example nursing and teaching students who pay $3950 ). And universities that have adjusted student profiles to maximise income may not welcome changes. As Frank Larkins and Ian Marshman predicted,  “ universities with a good understanding of the actual cost of course delivery … and are sufficiently nimble to be able to adjust their discipline mix and subject offerings to optimise enrolment and funding outcomes are likely to benefit greatly, (CMM July 2 2020).

When JRG was introduced the Innovative Research Universities suggested two variations, to either keep student charges low (it’s all relative innit) with a “mid-level” public payment per Commonwealth Supported Place or keep the JRG student payments  as they are now but kick-in more per CSP, “to ensure a better alignment of incentives for students and university,” (CMM August 20 2020).

However JRG is changed, and it probably will be changed, not everybody is going to be happy.