1. AACRAO Conference overview
HOSA Conference – August 2018
Scott Nichols| Director, Student Connect

2. ATEM Presentation
August 2018
About AACRAO
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
104th Annual Meeting (Conference) held in Orlando, Florida in March 2018
In late 2017, awarded an ATEM International Conference Scholarship to attend through a reciprocal arrangement with ATEM.
More than 2,000 attendees from the US and around the world.
More than 200 different sessions conducted over the three days, plus the preceding weekend for some of it.

3. Changes in the Australian Higher Education Landscape
Presented by: Scott Nichols University of Canberra
Tuesday, March 27th 2018, 1pm-2pm
Session ID

4. Background

5. Background

6. Background

7. Background

8. Background
39 Universities with 101 Private Universities and Non-University Higher Education Institutions.
Nearly 1.5m students in 2016, with just under 75% being domestic.
Relatively stable Commonwealth government.
Since 2010, 5 different prime ministers and 6 different Higher Ed ministers.
Higher Education funding and operations in the spot light recently.

9. Demand Driven Model Bradley Review of Higher Education, 2008
Higher participation targets, particularly in equity groups.
Funding according to student demand, not capped.
Establishing a quality and standards agency (TEQSA).
Better pathways between higher and vocational education.
Recommendations largely adopted by Labor Government in 2009, with effect from 2012.

10. Targets:
By 2020, 40% of year olds to have a university degree (Government accepted by 2025);
By 2020, 20% of undergraduate enrolments are low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds (Government accepted);
4% of all funds for teaching to be directed to outreach and retention initiatives; (Government accepted);
Demand driven funding for domestic undergraduate places (Government accepted and implemented from 2012);

11. 51% cumulative increase in commencing CSP enrolment since 2008

12. 39.4% 25-34 year olds with a bachelor degree or higher in 2017

13. 16.8% participation rate for Low SES students in 2016

14. But ….
Retention rates for commencing students have fallen from 87.1% in 2008 to 84.6% in 2015

15. But ….
Four year completion rates have fallen, particularly for low SES students

16. HELP Loan Portfolio – Current and Projected Debt
Nominal HELP value blows out from around $20 billion (2010) to an estimated $180 billion (2025)

17. HELP Loan Portfolio – Doubtful Debt Provisions
Estimated doubtful HELP debt to rise to $4 billion in 2025/2026

21. Latest Developments MYEFO 2018
Failed proposals by Government to change legislation around SCAs and repayment thresholds.
On December 18, 2017 Minister Birmingham introduced changes through MYEFO.
Grant levels are now capped at 2017 levels for with performance based funding also introduced from 2020 and growth based on population projections.

23. Impact on Students Significantly fewer CSPs over next three years.
Students in pathways (final years of secondary school, for example) significantly impacted.
Lower repayment thresholds also likely to impact current students.
Early days and waiting to see how it plays out.

24. Introduction of QILT Quality Indicators of Teaching and Learning
Website that allows comparisons between institutions and disciplines on student experience and graduate employment

26. Impact on Students
Single source website to compare teaching and learning and graduate outcomes
Increased focus on performance in the published measures by institutions due to increased transparency.
Government plans for further information on site – fees, etc.

27. Admissions Transparency
Higher Education Standards Panel released their report in October 2016.
Government accepted all 14 recommendations and Implementation Working Group (IWG) formed.
Phase one implemented by August 2017
Phase two required by May 2018

28. Admissions Transparency
Phase one required universities to provide clear and transparent information on their websites about admissions standards and numbers.
Different approaches from different universities, but all deemed “compliant”. UC example
Phase two requires terminology changes to be fully implemented and minor amendments to phase one data requirements.
There are also plans for a QILT like national website.

29. Impact on Students
Whilst definitions and guidelines were provided, no uniform approach to publishing data was required.
Different universities have taken different approaches to publishing data.
Without a single source national website, it may end up being information overload and, ironically, making admissions data more confusing

30. Summary
Significant changes have occurred in the funding and information environments.
Challenges with the government supported funding environment will impact the student experience going forward.
Improvements to information transparency have benefited students and will continue to increase accountability of universities and other providers.

31. ATEM Presentation
August 2018
Take away messages
Significant interest in the Australian Higher Education space, despite significant differences in approach, environment, processes, etc.
Many of the issues we are tackling are common – retention, completion, competition, private providers, digital disruption, etc.
Attended sessions on emerging technology trends and requirements, integrated student systems, understanding the iGen, evidenced based management, etc.
Incredibly powerful plenary sessions – one from World Bank on trends in population, education and the changing face of the world and the other with students from Puerto Rico, Honduras and Mexico on what the opportunity of education has done for them and their families.
Some interesting quirks – no catering for morning/afternoon teas and lunches made networking opportunities difficult! Everyone darted for the only Starbucks in the complex.
Great experience that I would strongly encourage others to pursue.