Lessons from analysing failure in higher education policy in Australia

Abstract

Growth in the size and complexity of higher education systems in the latter part of the twentieth century is an ongoing challenge to setting effective government policy for universities and other tertiary education providers. The emergence of mass higher education and an increase in the number of providers in many countries means there is more at stake for governments in how systems are funded and regulated which directly affects system performance, quality and accountability. From issues of student access and equity to ensuring the integrity and viability of institutions, those charged with making public policy for higher education must balance competing interests while being cognisant that..