Labor education shadow Tanya Plibersek announced the terms of reference for the proposed post compulsory education review at the Universities Australia conference, yesterday. Stripped of most, well some, of the blather the inquiry would address:

* a high quality, efficient, effective, and modern post-secondary education system

* an equitable, sustainable, and transparent funding model

* public institutions (TAFEs and universities) at the centre of post-secondary education

* courses and qualifications responsive to changes in labour market and society and fit-for-purpose

* student access to institutions and courses to increase their skills, capabilities and knowledge

* appropriate links between post-secondary education and work; with workplaces sites of high-quality learning; and portable qualifications

* accessible apprenticeship system, adapting to technological change and supported by all benefitting parties

* increased participation of under-represented and disadvantaged Australians

* addressing needs of post-secondary students and institutions in regional and remote Australia

* a strong, competitive, diverse and sustainable international education sector

* careers advice with appropriate value on VET

* adequate funding for post-secondary infrastructure

* national regulatory systems including agency roles, institutional accountability, the qualifications framework and consumer protection