Students will be paying $50,000 for arts degrees until at least 2027, according to a university vice-chancellor, despite the Albanese government labeling the controversial Job-Ready Graduates scheme a failure and promising reform. The Morrison government program increased fees for arts, humanities, and law degrees while reducing costs for STEM, teaching, and nursing degrees.
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor George Williams, a vocal critic of the program, said he was hopeful for reform by 2027 but acknowledged challenges. The government has established the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to redesign fees, but legislation must pass before it can operate in early 2026. Professor Andrew Norton of Monash Business School said 2027 is the earliest possible date for a new fee structure.
Norton and Williams believe cost is the primary factor for delays. The government would need to either increase student contributions for other courses or substantially raise subsidies, both politically difficult. The universities accord interim report in July 2023 found the Job-Ready Graduates scheme had failed and recommended its replacement.
Education Minister Jason Clare told an education summit in August that fee structure reform is not a priority, saying reform is like "eating an elephant – one bite at a time." Labor backbenchers have publicly pressured the government to speed up changes. Williams warned the scheme disproportionately affects students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, Indigenous students, and women, who are the biggest users of arts degrees.
