Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026

Mr CLARE (Blaxland—Minister for Education) (17:14): I move that the amendment set out in the schedule circulated to honourable members be made in place of the Senate's purported amendment, which has been disagreed to: SCHEDULE OF THE PURPORTED AMENDMENT MADE BY THE SENATE TO WHICH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS DISAGREED (1) Schedule 1, item 59, page 47 (lines 21 to 26), omit subsection 39-70(2), substitute: Total equity component (2) The higher education provider must spend an amount of the grant that is equal to or greater than the *total equity component for the provider for the year on the following activities: (a) activities that are primarily for the purposes of supporting *eligible equity students to access, participate in and complete *eligible equity courses; (b) activities that are primarily for the purposes of supporting persons mentioned in paragraph 39-25(1)(b) to access eligible equity courses.

SCHEDULE OF THE AMENDMENT MADE BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN PLACE OF THE PURPORTED SENATE AMENDMENT DISAGREED TO (1) Schedule 1, item 59, page 47 (lines 21 to 26), omit subsection 39-70(2), substitute: Total equity component (2) The higher education provider must spend an amount of the grant that is equal to or greater than the *total equity component for the provider for the year on the following activities: (a) activities that are primarily for the purposes of supporting *eligible equity students to access, participate in and complete *eligible equity courses; (b) activities that are primarily for the purposes of supporting persons mentioned in paragraph 39-25(1)(b) to access eligible equity courses.

This amendment is identical to the amendment agreed to by the Senate earlier today. It expands the activities a higher education provider may spend their needs based funding grant on to include supporting people from a disadvantaged background to access university. This amendment responds to stakeholder feedback, ensuring an appropriate range of activities can be supported using equity funding.

These activities will help students from poor backgrounds, Indigenous students and students studying in the regions to access, participate in and succeed at university. I commend this amendment to the chamber. Question agreed to.