Charles Darwin University - Submission to the Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper - April 2023 - Recommendations and Funding Proposal

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn

Charles Darwin University’s April 2023 submission proposes a new funding approach under the Australian Universities Accord to strengthen training, education, and research in Australia’s Northern Territory. The submission advances a five-year National Institute Grant, argues for reforms to the universities funding model, and emphasizes place-based accountability. It also outlines system improvements across demand-driven places, tertiary enabling pathways, equity supports, staffing attraction, student success funding, placement funding urgency, and quality indicators, alongside First Nations knowledge integration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Table of Contents

Delivering on our role as Australia’s most connected university

Summary of Recommendations

Part I: A place-centred university

Part II: Responding to the Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper: opportunities for Australia’s higher education sector

Conclusion

Charles Darwin University Submission to the Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper April 2023 Table of Contents Delivering on our role as Australia’s most connected university 3 Summary of Recommendations 3 Part I: 5 A place-centred university 5 CDU’s role in delivering on national interests 6 Operating in thin and ultra-thin markets 6 A New National Institute Grant 8 Part II: 9 Responding to the Australian Universities Accord Discussion Paper: opportunities for Australia’s higher education sector 9 Achieving success for all students 9 Designing future-focused quality education 14 International education 15 Better connecting skills and higher education 16 Embedding First Nations knowledge in future research for the Territory 19 Sustainable and impactful research 21 Conclusion 24 Page 2 of 24 Delivering on our role as Australia’s most connected university Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) vision is to be Australia’s most connected university by being courageous and making a difference in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia and beyond. CDU is in an unparalleled position to embrace the vitality and resilience of the NT and contribute to the future prosperity of Northern Australia. This submission proposes a new approach to funding for CDU through the Universities Accord so that future generations of Territorians continue to have access to world-class training and higher education. CDU is positioned to make a significant contribution to some of the nation’s biggest challenges: shoringup energy and water security in the face of climate change; acknowledging our geopolitical environment to protect our national interests; and developing sustainable economic growth in Northern Australia, particularly for First Nations peoples. Case studies throughout this submission demonstrate that innovative research for Northern Australia is much more impactful when underpinned by First Nations knowledges appropriately interweaved ‘with’Western knowledges. Part I outlines a case for a five-year National Institute Grant for CDU to deliver better outcomes for the NT, its people and for Australia’s national interests. It outlines that delivering high-quality training, education and research is contingent on addressing the flaws of the current universities’ funding model. Part II addresses the remaining opportunities to improve systems that underpin all Australian Universities. Summary of Recommendations | Recommendations | | --- | | Part I addresses CDU’s role in the NT and recommends that:
1. The Accord recognise the role of CDU as a place-based university in providing equitable access to higher education and research, professional employment for regional communities and a backbone of community infrastructure.
2. A five-year National Institute Grant to support Australia’s interests in the North is provided to CDU to underwrite research and education, along with training and economic development for the NT’s regions.
3. A renewed compact system or individual Accord, be developed to ensure CDU is held accountable to its place-based mission in the NT under a National Institute Grant.
Part II responds to the Discussion Paper, and CDU recommends that:
4. The Accord reintroduce demand-driven places, with first uncapping places for all First Nations students not just those in regional and remote areas and then for all students in regional and remote areas.
5. The Accord notes the critical importance of improving school education outcomes to student success in tertiary settings.
6. The Tertiary Enabling Program be reformed to:
a) restore the prominence of enabling in the tertiary landscape;
b) align with the AQF so that it can be used for a ‘one tertiary’ entrance;
c) have its own specific funding cluster to allow flexibility of course design; and
d) include a low student contribution that can be placed on HECS-HELP. | Page 3 of 24 7. Future funding avail

FAQs

What funding approach does Charles Darwin University propose under the Universities Accord?

CDU proposes a new approach to funding through the Universities Accord, including a five-year National Institute Grant to underwrite research and education and support training and economic development for Northern Territory regions.

How does the submission define CDU’s role in meeting national interests?

It positions CDU as a place-based university in the Northern Territory, arguing it can deliver better outcomes by leveraging Northern Australia’s vitality and addressing major national challenges such as energy and water security, geopolitical protection, and sustainable economic growth.

What changes does CDU recommend for student participation and tertiary pathways?

CDU recommends reintroducing demand-driven places (including uncapping for First Nations students first and then for all students in regional and remote areas), reforming the Tertiary Enabling Program for a “one tertiary” entrance, and strengthening education outcomes to support student success.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn