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The Smith Family welcomes equity focus in 2024 Federal Budget boosting opportunities for students experiencing disadvantage

Media releases

15 May 2024

National education charity The Smith Family welcomes the focus in the 2024 Federal Budget on
equity in tertiary education and on funding reforms which will help create more opportunities for
students.

Tertiary reforms

Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family said: “With an estimated nine out of ten new jobs in the
next decade requiring a post-school qualification, the measures announced will ensure that
more students move from secondary school into post-school training and study.”

“Through our work on the ground with students experiencing disadvantage, we see the difficulty
they face in making that all-important transition into tertiary education.

“The reforms announced will remove barriers for students in three ways: firstly, by helping more
young people transition to University or TAFE; secondly while they are studying with the new
Prac Payment for student placements; and thirdly by easing the burden of their student debt,
post study.

“The funding for 20,000 new fee-free TAFE places and the $350 million for fee-free Uni Ready
courses to prepare students for university and to support their completion, is particularly
welcomed. These measures will create more opportunities for pathways into tertiary studies.

“While the details of needs-based funding are still to be clarified, the intent to provide tailored
academic support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds is also welcomed. This will
ensure universities are better able to support students to succeed at university while they’re
there.”

National School Reform Agreement

“While it is positive to see the Federal government taking on a lot of the recommendations from
the Australian Universities Accord in this budget, it is important that these reforms be
strengthened with similar equity commitments from all governments for the National School
Reform Agreement – affecting thousands of primary and secondary school children – once the
funding agreements have been finalised,” Mr Taylor said.

“We need to give all students a fair chance of completing school, getting to tertiary level and to
succeed in their studies. This means providing the right support they need, at the right time –
from early childhood to primary and secondary school and beyond.

“We can’t have better futures for Australian children without investment in our young people’s
education at every level – and while this budget is taking some significant and important steps,
there is more work to be done.”

Cost of living support to Australian families

“The Smith Family welcomes the raft of measures announced to relieve cost-of-living pressures,
including rent assistance and energy bill rebates. These are particularly important for the
families we support and will help to alleviate some of the significant financial stress they
experience.

“We know that families we work with are making impossible decisions every day about how to
spend limited funds. Easing the burden for these families will make it easier for them to support
the education of their children,” said Mr Taylor.

The Smith Family’s CEO Doug Taylor is available for interviews.

Media Enquiries:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager | E: Andrew.Dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor | E: Carla.Horton@thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au