Jason Clare visits UNSW and applauds UNSW's Gateway Program for boosting access to higher education.
UNSW hosted the Education Minister Jason Clare as he announced a national rebound in domestic university enrolments and highlighted the University's leading role in widening access through its Gateway Program.
Preliminary data from the Department of Education shows that across Australia, 390,000 domestic students started a degree in 2024, a 3.7% increase on 2023.
The Minister said that domestic student enrolments across Australia are set to reach near-record levels this year.
"Today, some data has been released by my department that shows that the number of Aussie students starting a university degree is bouncing back big time," he said.
"The data that we've released today shows that when you take out two years of COVID, which are a bit of an anomaly, the number of Australian students starting an undergraduate or postgraduate degree this year looks set to be the highest on record, and that's a good thing.
"We want more people to finish school. We want more people to be able to go to TAFE or university to get the skills that they need. We want more Aussies to get more skills and to be able to get the careers of their dreams."
Gateway Program opens doors to underrepresented students
The Minister also praised the UNSW Gateway Program, which gives students from low SES backgrounds additional pathways and support to study at the University.
"The young people that I've had a chance to speak to today are just a couple of examples of people who are building the life of their dreams through the work that they're doing here at my old university, the University of New South Wales, studying everything from medicine to law to chemistry to software engineering, economics and maths," he said.
"They're all fortunate recipients of the Gateway Program here at the University of New South Wales, which is helping a lot of young people from underrepresented groups to get a crack at going to university. This program, in a nutshell, is everything that I am about, making sure that more kids like the kid that I was growing up in Western Sydney, get a crack at going to university and build the career of their dreams."
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the Minister's visit was an excellent opportunity to highlight UNSW's Gateway Admission Pathway and Program for improving access and success to university for undergraduate students.
"At UNSW, we are deeply committed to increasing accessibility and success at university for all parts of Australian society, fostering excellence through a diverse and inclusive student community. Over recent years, we've seen a substantial rise in enrolments from individuals from low-socioeconomic areas, regional and remote communities, and schools with historically limited access to university pathways.
"We're proud that learners from these backgrounds are thriving academically, performing on par with the best in the world. The growing demand from aspiring scholars across diverse communities to join a top 20 university is a powerful endorsement of the program's success and UNSW focus on excellence through inclusion. It is also a testament to the life-changing opportunities that equitable access to education can provide."
At UNSW, we are deeply committed to increasing accessibility and success at university for all parts of Australian society, fostering excellence through a diverse and inclusive student community.
Students reflect on their journeys to university through Gateway
While at UNSW, Mr Clare met with several students who came in via the Gateway Program.
Celina Nguyen, currently in her fourth year of Medicine at UNSW, was inspired by her family to come to university. Celia is the first person in her immediate family to go to university.
"Being the eldest child in my family, I wanted to be an inspiration to my siblings and cousins by showing them that university was more than a dream.
"The best part of being at university is the opportunity to meet such a diverse range of people. Each person had a unique story about how they got into university, their struggles and victories, and why they want to study their course."
Eamonn Lee, a regional student from the NSW Mid-North Coast, moved to Sydney after finishing school to study engineering at UNSW.
"My teachers inspired me to pursue life at university," he said.
"They were the ones who showed me the ability education has to make us aware of how our world works and shape what lies ahead.
"The best part about being in university is being surrounded by people who want to make a real difference in the world. It's inspiring to be with people who are fascinated by the world that we live in and choose to pursue that interest, so that one day we can contribute towards a better world."
Minister Clare said the country must keep breaking down the barriers that prevent young Australians from disadvantaged, regional, and outer-suburban areas from getting to university, and thriving once they're there.
"That requires reform across the entire education system. It's also what the new funding system for our universities, which we will roll out next year, is about," he said.
"That (reform) will deliver demand-driven funding for equity students and needs-based funding, ensuring students get the academic and wrap-around supports they need to succeed at university."
