Higher Education Legislative Reform

The Challenge

The Government committed to implementing key measures from the Australian Universities Accord, including major HELP indexation reforms. Legislation needed to be developed rapidly, with complex policy, stakeholder and parliamentary requirements to be managed within a single sitting period.

The Action

Polis Partners joined the departmental legislation taskforce to coordinate drafting, policy authorities, ministerial briefing, and all supporting documents. We prepared explanatory materials, question-and-answer briefs, responses to Senate inquiries, and analysis to support parliamentary debate, while also tracking the end-to-end process for the Senior Executive.

The Results

The Bill was passed on 26 November 2024, capping HELP indexation and introducing a weekly practicum payment for eligible student groups. The reforms will benefit more than three million Australians and deliver major improvements to affordability and equity in higher education.