Bridging the gap between school and uni

The Albanese Government is helping more people get the skills they need to start a university degree with the launch of the FEE‑FREE Uni Ready (FFUR) Best Practice Guide today.

The Government provided $1.5 million to the University of Newcastle to develop a Best Practice Guide for universities who want to establish or expand their own FFUR courses.

The Universities Accord recommended a major increase in funding for these short courses which help prepare people for university, acting as a bridge between school and university.

That is why the Government is investing an extra $1.1 billion over the next ten years to expand access to these courses, which help give students the skills and confidence they need to start a university degree. 

The programs support students who may not otherwise be able to access university, including students from poor backgrounds, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students from regional and remote areas. 

In 2025, more than 25,000 students enrolled in a free bridging course.

This year, another 25,000 students are expected to undertake one of these courses.

By 2030, the number of students undertaking one of these courses is expected to reach 30,000, which represents a 40 per cent increase from 2023. By 2040, the numbers are expected to double from 2023 levels. 

The Universities Accord says that by 2050, 80 per cent of the workforce will need a tertiary qualification.

The only way to hit that target is to help more people go to TAFE and university. 

The Best Practice Guide website is now available at feefreeuniready.edu.au 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare: 

“The Universities Accord says that by 2050, 80 per cent of the workforce will need a tertiary qualification.

“These free bridging courses are part of that. They give you the skills you need to succeed when you get to university.

“At the University of Newcastle, one in five students do one of these bridging courses first. 

“I want to see this happen in more places. 

“This Best Practice Guide will help more universities do this. 

“This is all about breaking down that invisible barrier that stops a lot of people getting to uni."