Higher Education Standards Panel: Consultation on the Transparency of Higher Education Admissions Processes

This document is the result of the Australian Minister for Education and Training's request to the Higher Education Standards Panel for advisement of options to improve the transparency of higher education student admission policies, while minimizing regulatory impact. The Minister intends to improve the accessibility and comparability of information about the diversity of course entry pathways by ensuring greater transparency of admissions processes and standards. He is concerned about the capacity of some students to complete their courses. The Minister asked the Panel for advice on what more needs to be done. This report discusses the following topics in response to the Minster's request: (1) pathways to higher education; (2) the ATAR--a number that ranks students across each state based on their upper secondary school subject results; (3) the Higher Education Standards Framework; (4) proposed principles that should underpin the Panel's advice and any initiatives to improve transparency in admissions policies and practices; (5) feedback and ideas on principles and possible initiatives. The following are appended: (1) Current Higher Education Standards relating to admissions transparency; (2) Revised (2015) Higher Education Standards (in effect from 1 January 2017); and (3) Higher Education Standards Panel Membership.