December 2023
Consultation on the Future Drought Fund draft investment plan and funding strategy
Charles Sturt University is home to the Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, one of eight intended to help farmers and farming communities prepare for and adapt to drought conditions. The Hubs are are funded by the Australian Government through the Future Drought Fund (FDF).
In 2023 the Government invited stakeholders from across Australia to comment on the draft Drought Resilience Funding Plan. It sets out a high-level framework to guide the next phase of funding decisions under the Future Drought Fund.
The University's submission provided four key recommendations for the Future Drought Fund:
- A prompt decision on the medium and long-term funding arrangements for the Drought and Innovation Hubs, so as to remove uncertainty for partner organisations around staffing and future activities.
- Future FDF investments should support initiatives across the full research, development, and extension continuum to help tackle gaps in farmer and community knowledge about drought resilience and boost opportunities for collaboration and co-investment.
- Longer timelines for investment rounds to support a long-term transformative projects
- Targeted funding for on-the-ground action in five key impact areas: Social, Cultural, and Commercial Resilience; Enhancing and Preserving the Natural Environment; Ground and Canopy Cover; Soil Health; and Water and Water Use.
Charles Sturt University's response to the Future Drought Fund draft investment plan and funding strategy
November 2023
NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) review
The NSW Government is undertaking a review of the state's vocational education and training sector, with the aim of "identifying the strengths, gaps and opportunities for improvement in skills development and training, to support our students and workforce."
Increasing collaboration and improving pathways between universities and the VET sector are key goals for governments in Australia and elsewhere. Both form part of the conceptual framework for the Accord.
Charles Sturt University already works with TAFEs and other vocational education providers around NSW, and the University is exploring ways to build on these formal and informal relationships. Our submission to the NSW review we said the best way to address some of the challenges faced by regional universities and regional TAFEs is to foster closer collaboration including through shared teaching and learning infrastructure, joint delivery of some courses, co-development of pathway programs, and many other examples.
As a starting point, we propose pilot projects on:
- improving pathways into tertiary education and between different kinds of providers,
- boosting First Nations participation and attainment, and
- meeting the skills and workforce needs of key regional employers including in the health, education, IT and renewable energy sectors.
Charles Sturt University's submission to the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) review
October 2023
Inquiry into the implementation of recommendations relating to workforce issues, workplace culture and funding considerations for remote, rural and regional health
The Select Committee on Rural, Regional and Remote Health sought to learn what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations made by Portfolio Comittee No. 2 (which related to workforce issues, workplace culture and funding considerations).
Feedback on the following was requested:
a) any challenges or opportunities relating to the implementation of recommendations relating to workforce issues, workplace culture and funding for remote, rural and regional health services and programs
b) staffing numbers, recruitment and retention, and related workforce management and planning issues (including Recommendations 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 30 and 33)
c) staff accreditation and training (including Recommendations 13, 14, 19, 20, 23, and 29)
d) workplace culture, including forthcoming reviews of workplace culture and complaint handling mechanisms (including Recommendations 40 and 41)
e) funding for agencies, programs and incentives (including Recommendations 1, 4, 10, 23, 24,30 and 38), and any funding issues relating to the above recommendation
Staff from Charles Sturt University's Faculty of Health and Science appeared before the committee at a public hearing in November 2023.
Charles Sturt University's response to the inquiry into the implementation of recommendations relating to workforce issues, workplace culture and funding considerations for remote, rural and regional health
Consultation on Implementing Suburban University Study Hubs
In response to the Universities Accord Interim Report, the Government will establish up to 20 additional Regional University Study Hubs, and up to 14 new Suburban University Study Hubs.
This builds on the 34 existing Regional University Study Hubs located across the country.
To support the delivery of the new Suburban University Study Hubs, a consultation paper was released seeking feedback on the design of the new Hubs.
1)How can a place-based approach be fostered, as part of the Suburban University Study Hubs program, that ensures the voice of local communities is integrated in their design and operation?
2) How can the Suburban University Study Hubs widen participation and support and extend further study opportunities, adding to existing or planned investments?
3) How can equity be embedded into the design of Suburban University Study Hubs?
4) Where multiple communities may co-exist within the same area (for example, ethnic, cultural, industry-based, etc.), how can Suburban University Study Hubs ensure they meet the needs of these different communities?
5) How can we ensure that Suburban University Study Hubs operate to support students engaging with any provider, while also ensuring strong connections with local providers, campuses and leaders?
6) What dedicated support services should Suburban University Study Hubs provide? Are there gaps in support for under-represented cohorts (for example, First Nations students, students with disability) Suburban University Study Hubs could address?
7) How can Suburban University Study Hubs provide a culturally safe environment for all students, that is relevant to them and their local context?
8) Are there examples (in Australia or internationally) of similar support services (in tertiary education or other sectors) that could inform the design of Suburban University Study Hubs?
9) Are there existing support mechanisms that could be leveraged and offered through the Suburban University Study Hubs? How could the Hubs provide a useful additional impact and avoid duplication of services?
10) How can Suburban University Study Hubs best communicate the supports they provide to local students and support aspiration in their local community?
11) What role could Suburban University Study Hubs play in supporting enabling/tertiary preparation courses for students from under-represented backgrounds?
Charles Sturt University's response to the consultation on Implementing Suburban Study Hubs
September 2023
Draft National Science and Research Priorities
Following their initial consultation at the beginning of 2023, the Australian Government sought responses on Australia's draft National Science and Research Priorities in September 2023. The National Science and Research Priorties will shape a long-term vision for the Australian science system.
The consultation process is intended to re-energise conversations across the Australian science and research sector.
Feedback was sought on the following:
- how well the draft priorities reflect the key challenges and opportunities for Australia
- how governments and the science and research sector can best work with First Nations people to build a system that recognises and values First Nations knowledge and knowledge systems
- how further refinement can be undertaken
- how the priorities could be implemented.
Charles Sturt University's response to the draft National Science and Research Priorities
Australian Government's Consultation Paper on the 'Support for students policy' requirements
On 16 October 2023 the Australian Government opened consultations on the 'Support for students policy'.
The Accord Interim Report, released on 19 July 2023, outlines a vision for the future of Australia’s higher education system and contains five recommendations for priority action.
Priority Action 2 is the removal of the pass rate requirements, which applied for independent higher education providers from 1 January 2018, and for public universities from 1 January 2022 and required students to pass 50 per cent of their units of study in their course to maintain access to Commonwealth assistance. Legislation to remove the pass rate requirements is currently before Parliament.
Specific requirements around what the Support for students policy must include and new reporting requirements for higher education providers will be set out in the Higher Education Provider Guidelines.
The consultation paper sought responses to the following:
- Are there features of the Code [the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018] that could also be applied to domestic student support and included in the Guidelines?
- How do we ensure that the Code and the new arrangements work together effectively?
- What other detail should be included in the Guidelines and why?
- Are the proposed individual student and institutional level requirements practical, and implementable? If not, how could they be improved?
- Are there examples of best practice, reports and reviews that focus on supporting students to complete their studies, that could be drawn on for the Guidelines?
- What other reporting requirements need to be included to demonstrate compliance with the Support for students policy requirements?
- Is there other information that should be reported, or that could be re-purposed, that would demonstrate compliance, and assist in monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of these Guidelines?
- What needs to be taken into account in the Department’s approach to non-compliance?
- What practical considerations need to be taken into account in implementing the Guidelines?
Charles Sturt University's response to the consultation paper on 'Support for students policy' requirements
July 2023
NSW Legislative Council committee's inquiry into veterinary workforce shortage
On 9 June 2023 the NSW Legislative Council sought submissions to assist with their inquiry into the veterinary workforce shortage in NSW.
The inquiry asked for feedback on:
(a) the shortage of veterinarians across the profession, including clinical (small and large animal practice), government, academia, research, industry and pathology
(b) the challenges in maintaining a sustainable veterinary workforce, including recruitment and retention rates
(c) the burn-out and mental health challenges facing the veterinary profession
(d) the role of, and challenges affecting, veterinary nurses
(e) the role of, and challenges affecting, overseas trained veterinarians
(f) the arrangements and impacts of providing after-hour veterinary services
(g) the impact of the current legislative and regulatory framework on veterinarians
(h) the particular challenges facing the veterinary profession and the shortage of veterinarians in regional, rural and remote New South Wales
(i) the role played by veterinarians in providing care to lost, stray and homeless animals, injured wildlife and during emergency situations (
j) the impact of the current veterinary shortage on animal welfare, including the impact on the economy, members of the public seeking veterinary care for animals, pounds and shelters, the animal agribusiness industry, companion animal breeders and others
(k) current barriers to accessing veterinary care for members of the public, particularly those with lower incomes or who live in regional, rural and remote locations
(l) strategies to support the current veterinary workforce, as well as ways to increase the number of practising veterinarians particularly in regional, rural and remote New South Wales
(m) strategies to improve access to veterinary care
(n) any other related matter.
Public hearings have since been held in Sydney and Inverell.
Charles Sturt University's submission to the Inquiry into Veterinary Workforce Shortage in NSW
House Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training - Use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system
On 30 May 2023 the House Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training adopted an inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence in the Australian education system on 24 May 2023 following a referral from the Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP.
The inquiry sought comment on:
- The strengths and benefits of generative AI tools for children, students, educators and systems and the ways in which they can be used to improve education outcomes;
- The future impact generative AI tools will have on teaching and assessment practices in all education sectors, the role of educators, and the education workforce generally;
- The risks and challenges presented by generative AI tools, including in ensuring their safe and ethical use and in promoting ongoing academic and research integrity;
- How cohorts of children, students and families experiencing disadvantage can access the benefits of AI;
- International and domestic practices and policies in response to the increased use of generative AI tools in education, including examples of best practice implementation, independent evaluation of outcomes, and lessons applicable to the Australian context; and
- Recommendations to manage the risks, seize the opportunities, and guide the potential development of generative AI tools including in the area of standards.
A public hearing into the inquiry will be held in Sydney on January 30 2024. Charles Sturt University will be represented by staff from the Aritifical Intelligence and Cyber Futures Institute and the Division of Learning and Teaching.
Charles Sturt University's submission to the inquiry into the Use of Generative Artifical Intelligence in the Australian Education System
June 2023
Australia’s science and research priorities: conversation starter
On 23 February 2023 the Department of Industry, Science and Resources opened consultations on Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities and National Science Statement which will provide direction for their science system.
The Department asked for feedback on:
- Challenges which could be addressed through science
- Future opportunities
- Strengths we can maintain and build upon.
The feedback will help shape Australia’s new priorities and statement, delivering social, economic and environmental benefits for all Australians.
In June 2023 feedback will be sought on draft priorities. The National Science and Research Priorities and a new National Science Statement are due to be finalised in September 2023.
Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia
On 8 March 2023, the Senate resolved that the Select Committee into the Provision of and Access to Dental Services in Australia be established.
The Select Committee into the Provision and Access of Dental Services in Australia to inquire into and report on 11 key areas including (but not limited to):
- the experience of children and adults in accessing and affording dental and related services;
- pathways to improve oral health outcomes in Australia, including a path to universal access to dental services;
- workforce and training matters relevant to the provision of dental services;
- international best practice for, and consideration of the economic benefit of, access to dental services;
The committee is to present an interim report by 20 June 2023; and a final report by 28 November 2023.
April 2023
Australian Universities Accord
The Australian Universities Accord will build a long-term plan for Australia’s higher education system and is the first broad review of the higher education system since the 2008 Review of Higher Education (the Bradley Review).
The Accord Panel will make recommendations for Government, the sector and other relevant stakeholders to deliver a higher education system that meets the current and future needs of the nation, and targets to achieve this.
The Panel will report to the Minister for Education, providing an interim report on priority actions by June 2023, with a final report to be delivered by December 2023.
Consultation on the Accord Terms of Reference
In November 2022 interested stakeholders and organisations were invited to make a submission on their priorities for the Accord in the context of the Terms of Reference. This is one of several calls for submission processes to be undertaken over the course of the review.
The Terms of Reference set out seven key priorities:
- Meeting Australia’s knowledge and skills needs, now and in the future
- Access and opportunity
- Investment and affordability
- Governance, accountability and community
- The connection between the vocational education and training and higher education systems
- Quality and sustainability
- Delivering new knowledge, innovation and capability
Understanding the priorities to be explored through this process in the context of the review Terms of Reference is critical to informing the work of the Panel and the release of a Discussion Paper in early 2023.
More on the accord
Early Years Strategy
In February 2023, the Australian Government announced the development of an Early Years Strategy (the Strategy) to shape its vision for the future of Australia’s children and their families. Recognising how critical the early years are for children’s development and continued success over their lifetime, the Strategy will aim to deliver the best possible outcomes for Australian children.
The Strategy will help the Commonwealth create a more integrated, holistic approach to the early years and better support the education, wellbeing and development of Australia’s children. It will seek to support improved coordination between Commonwealth programs, funding and frameworks impacting early childhood development.
The Government hosted a National Early Years Summit (the Summit) at Australian Parliament House on 17 February 2023. The Summit brought together parents, community organisations and representatives from across government, non-government, academic and business sectors to discuss the development of the Commonwealth Early Years Strategy.
The Summit covered key topics including the vision and priorities for the Early Years Strategy, as well as how we make sure the voices of children and families are at the centre of the Strategy.
The Discussion Paper is now open for public submissions until 30 April 2023.
Previous years submissions
