A Big Leap Into a Smarter Future
Australia’s tertiary education sector stands at a crossroads — and not the kind you wander through without a second thought. With the release of the Australian Universities Accord, we’ve got a rare chance to revamp how we educate and support future generations. With over 400 pages jam-packed with nearly 50 recommendations, the Accord represents the type of policy that shouts, “Right, let’s shake things up!”
The Accord signals an exciting wave of change and standardisation — ushering in innovation and stability. Investing in critical areas such as improving communication, enhancing prospect and current student experiences, increasing accessibility to support services and streamlining the user-friendliness of systems and processes all lay the groundwork for long-term transformation. The emphasis on standardisation reinforces these changes are here to stay.
At its core, the Accord tackles massive questions — how do we build a better, more equitable education system? How do we make tertiary education accessible to more Australians? How do we keep them engaged? And — most importantly — how do we prepare them for a world that changes by the minute? In my experience, working closely with institutions across Australasia for several decades, the Accord feels like a rallying cry for innovation, inclusivity and transformation.
A Working System for All
Let’s get real — Australia’s current tertiary education system cannot meet the growing demand for a skilled and educated workforce. The stats don’t lie — in just 10 years, more than 45% of new jobs will require a bachelor’s degree or higher, while another 40% will require vocational qualifications1.
Bridging this gap is intimidating and exhilarating (and will ultimately contribute to a better Australia) but we must rethink how we engage prospective students, especially those left on the sidelines for too long. The Accord focuses on supporting key disenfranchised groups — First Nations students, people from challenged socioeconomic backgrounds, those living in remote areas and students with disabilities. It’s not just about numbers — it’s about ensuring everyone gets a fair go.
Closing the Skills Gap
Getting more Aussies into uni means preparing the country’s next generation of brilliant engineers, skilled trade technicians and resilient healthcare workers to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. To make it happen, universities must tackle two big challenges head-on:
- Attracting Australians who don’t engage with tertiary education
- Boosting retention rates for already-enrolled Australians
Here’s the thing — even the keenest, most prepared students hit roadblocks at the front door with confusing, inconsistent application processes. And getting in is just the start. Once they arrive on campus, students face a maze of systems and services, often left to untangle the web and fend for themselves with little guidance. For those already feeling out of place, these barriers feel impossible to overcome. The real opportunity lies here: by reimagining and rebuilding the student experience, universities create a culture where every student feels supported, equipped and empowered to succeed.
No More One-Size-Fits-All
Students remain crystal clear about what they need — a personalised, intuitive, laser-focused and mobile-friendly experience. Basically, they’re expecting their university to function like their favorite modern-era apps — think about how YouTube or TikTok algorithms work. And honestly, who could blame them? The Accord nudges us to rise to the occasion, not just to keep up appearances but to ensure every student is seen, supported and set up for success.
From Pirate Maps to Precision
University ecosystems already house the information students need — it’s just often hidden under so many links, logins or layers that it feels like a treasure hunt (but without the fun ‘X marks the spot’ map or pirate hats). Whether tracking down student support, accessing key resources like courses or library holds or completing tasks like paying their bill, institutions need a new kind of system — one connecting students to exactly what they need — without the clutter of random, extraneous announcements.
Such a system would also enable universities to ditch the copy-paste approach to communication. Instead, students receive precise, customised, actionable reminders — no more scrolling through a sea of “urgent” emails about irrelevant deadlines or events they’ll never attend. Students need to know they are in control, tech-savvy and ready to crush their goals.
Obviously, I believe the answer points to Pathify2 because we created it to solve this exact issue.
Here’s the bottom line — students are the heartbeat of the Accord’s vision. By investing in tools like Pathify and adopting a student-first mindset, universities meet the Accord’s benchmarks while building legacies of bold innovation and inclusivity.
Stronger Experience, Stronger Future
Preserving the rich traditions of Australian universities doesn’t mean resisting change — in fact, the only way to preserve their history involves embracing change! The most successful institutions blend their cultural values with forward-thinking solutions — the Accord champions this balance — urging universities to adopt technologies elevating the student experience while remaining true to their identity.
Although no firm funding exists and the Tertiary Education Commission — which oversees the implementation of the Accord’s recommendation — has not yet formed, its establishment looms on the horizon. In the meantime, universities must start laying the groundwork to align with forthcoming benchmarks.
Australia’s tertiary education sector stands as a source of national pride but the Accord paves the way for something even more powerful — a system that prepares students for the workforce and actively equips them to excel and lead. The future of Australian tertiary education — and the students who rely on it — deserves nothing less.
Sources
1“90% of future jobs will need post-secondary qualifications – but that doesn’t always mean uni” Australian Government, November 2024, https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/news/90-future-jobs-will-need-post-secondary-qualifications-doesnt-always-mean-uni
2 “Pathify & the Universities Accord” Pathify, 2024, https://pathify.com/lp/pathify-australian-universities-accord/
About the Australian Universities Accord Final Report & Recommendations
The Australian Universities Accord Final Report maps a transformative vision for meeting Australia’s modern economic and societal needs. Spanning 400+ pages, the report sets ambitious targets for student outcomes like attainment and exam success. Emphasising equitable access, robust support services, early interventions and partnerships, the report includes 47 recommendations for ongoing improvements, advocating for improvements through feedback, evaluation and analytics. These legislative proposals will overhaul university operations, resource allocation, educational methodologies and workforce management across Australia. Learn more at education.gov.au/australian-universities-accord.
About Conrad Spendlove
Conrad Spendlove brings over twenty years of ed tech experience to the Pathify team. After leading the successful launch of Instructure Canvas in Australia and New Zealand, he joined Pathify in April 2024 to establish the company’s footprint in the Tertiary sector across Oceania. As an Account Executive, he focuses on expanding Pathify’s presence, building strong partnerships and driving innovation to enhance the student experience.
