Australian universities call for more funding to meet skills targets

26/2/2025 16:55

The peak body representing Australian universities has called for a major boost in government funding for the sector to meet targets for additional graduates.

In a speech to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Universities Australia Chief Executive Luke Sheehy said that universities are being asked to educate 1 million more domestic students every year by 2050 in order to meet the nation's projected need for skilled workers.



Sheehy said that meeting the target could add up to 240 billion Australian dollars to the economy, the equivalent of 20,000 Australian dollars for every household.



However, he said that current funding levels for the sector are not adequate to reach the goal.



"Australia's universities need to be growing to skill more Australians, not potentially contracting," he said.



"This is not simply for the benefit of universities -- it's a critical national imperative to ensure our economy grows and Australia prospers."