There is an Australian policy tradition of emphasising education as the economy changes, (think Whitlam, Dawkins and bipartisan support for demand driven funding.  Now Nadine Zacharias (Curtin U) and Matt Brett (La Trobe U) think it is time to start thinking again, with higher education access and equity still being considered in the context of the Bradley Review.

“The structural changes to our economy that are an anticipated result of digital disruption and the 4th industrial revolution, may necessitate new approaches to supporting the transition of young people to the labour market and a national strategy for reskilling workers displaced by automation and the digitisation of the economy,” they write in a discussion paper on the need for a new higher education access strategy for Australia through to 2030, for the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education.

The paper is designed to encourage participation in the policy process and sets out eight issues, which will likely shape access to HE in the next decade. They include, the impact of funding constraints and the role of digital delivery, how and why equity should be central to the education system and national objectives and how we define and measure the achievement of equity outcomes.

Brett and Zacharias’ initial thinking, is here , where they also invite submissions.