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The Smith Family welcomes the recommendations of the Universities Accord to create a fairer tertiary education system

Media releases

25 February 2024

National education charity The Smith Family welcomes the recommendations outlined
in the final Australian Universities Accord’s report released today, particularly the strong
focus on supporting greater access for students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.

“We believe in an education system that ensures all young people are given equal
opportunities to advance their studies, regardless of their background and
circumstances, and today’s report has outlined positive steps to help achieve this,” says
The Smith Family’s Head of Policy, Programs & Strategy Wendy Field.

The report recognises the need for an integrated system across all education levels,
highlighting the need for reform across all sectors from early childhood (Early Childhood
Review), through primary and secondary education (National School Reform
Agreement) and into the tertiary sector (Universities Accord).

“We know that who turns up at the gates of a tertiary education institution is a product of
who’s supported throughout their school years, and it’s encouraging to see the report
acknowledge the need to ensure that our schooling system supports students from the
earliest years to achieve as a key enabler of success at tertiary level. Once a student is
engaged in tertiary education, it’s important they are provided with the necessary
support to succeed.”

The Smith Family believes the range of measures outlined in the report to ease the
financial burden faced by low SES students is a critical component in enabling students
to overcome the barriers often preventing them from completing their studies.
“The recommendation of paid work placements, for example, is instrumental in helping
students who may already be struggling financially to complete these essential course
requirements,” Ms Field says.

The Smith Family is a national education charity that supports students experiencing
disadvantage. We currently support more than 1,500 tertiary-aged students with
scholarships and have evidence about the types of support that ensure every student
can make the most of their education.

The Smith Family’s Head of Policy, Programs and Strategy, Wendy Field, is
available for interviews.

Media Enquiries:
Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager | Mob: +61 421 285 529 | E:
Andrew.Dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au

Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor | Mob: +61 423 618 776| E: Carla.Horton@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing
disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. Visit
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