MRC Report: Course Correction

reforming higher education

Published: August 2024

Lead Author: Freya Leach

This report investigates two critical areas affecting the quality of higher education in Australia - the drivers of declining undergraduate education and the major problems with mechanisms for conducting academic research.

Urgent reforms are needed to restore academic rigour, refocus universities on serving national interests, and renew the relationship between universities, the Government, and the public. The report’s proposed reforms aim to enhance accountability, responsibility, and integrity, realigning universities with their valuable purpose of nurturing our cultural heritage and supporting the intellectual development of Australians.

These reforms will help restore faith in the higher education system so that governments can have the confidence to invest in undergraduate education and academic research into the future.