University fee reform heads to parliament

National Party wins concessions for regional education and social work degrees at Australian institutions

Australia’s education minister Dan Tehan has granted concessions on social work degrees and funds for regional universities in a bid to win support for his university fee reform push from coalition government colleagues.

Tehan’s proposed legislation will now make social work degrees cheaper—with increases in fees on other courses to offset it. Social work degrees will now cost around A$7,700 a year instead of the expected A$14,500.