Since its introduction in 2021, the Job Ready Graduates Package (JRG) has reshaped student contributions and funding across the system. Growing evidence suggests the funding arrangements have unintended impacts on equity, participation and national capability, prompting ongoing calls for reform, including recent legislative attempts to reverse its fee settings.

DASSH continues to work alongside colleagues in the tertiary education sector to reform JRG.

See latest DASSH submission on JRG

See JRG fact sheet

YearMilestoneDescription
2019-2020Policy developmentDeloitte Economics Access publish the Transparency in Higher Education Expenditure: Analysis of the Cost of Educating Domestic Undergraduate Students in Australian Universities report (2019)which sought to estimate the costs of delivery across disciplines. The Morrison Government develops the Job-Ready Graduates (JRG) Package as part of higher education reform, with a focus on aligning study choices with workforce needs.
2020Legislation passedThe Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 passes Parliament.
2021Implementation beginsJRG comes into effect. Student contribution amounts are restructured, significantly increasing fees for Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities, Law and Business in the highest charging band. Student contributions for STEM, teaching and health are reduced
2021-2022Early impacts observedUniversities and sector bodies begin reporting impacts on student costs, discipline viability and equity. Concerns emerge about price signalling and unintended consequences.
2022Change of governmentThe Albanese Labor government comes to power, having previously criticised JRG as inequitable, but retains the policy settings pending broader reform.
2023-2024Universities Accord processThe Australian Universities Accord identifies JRG as requiring “urgent remediation” and highlights misalignment with equity and participation goals.
2024-2025HELP indexation reform and debt relief





Growing evidence of impact		The Albanese government reforms HELP indexation to the lower of CPI or WPI and backdates changes to 2023, reducing student debt growth and a once-off 20% debt reduction measure.

Sector analysis shows increased student debt and declining participation among low SES students in high-cost disciplines, and reduced government funding alongside higher student contributions
2025-2026Greens introduce reversal Bill





Senate inquiry		The Higher Education Support Amendment (Reverse Job-Ready Graduates Fee Hikes & End $50k Arts Degrees) Bill 2025 is introduced in the Senate by Senator Mehreen Faruqi.

The Bill is referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry with submissions invited across the sector.

Submissions by DASSH addressing JRG

Joint Statements