Education
In theory, education paves the road to a good job, which can lift people out of poverty and create a more equal society. In practice, however, the link between additional years of post-secondary education and increased income and employment opportunities has been eroded over recent decades. A good education should be accessible for all, not only for those who were born into a wealthy family.
Education
January 15, 2026
Submission into the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025
Per Capita supports, in principle, the establishment of an ATEC to ensure that decision-making for the Australian tertiary sector is transparent, evidence-based, and free from undue influence or bias. However, it is also critical that the ATEC reflects the contemporary realities of the Australian university sector, where both staff and students are increasingly diverse and globalised.
Education
November 1, 2025
Submission: Inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in Victoria
Research has consistently shown that these early years are crucial to laying the foundations for future academic achievement and social success. Children who have attended early childhood education experience benefits later in life.
Education
August 25, 2023
Submission to the Inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment
Per Capita supports the five priority actions outlined in the Interim Report, as well as the Government’s commitment to implement them all.
Education
February 28, 2023
Submission: Abolishing Indexation and Raising the Minimum Repayment Income for Education and Training Loans Bill
In this submission, we argue in favour of the Bill, agreeing with its stated aims of improving the fairness of the funding schemes for post-secondary education and the two proposed solutions, namely to increase the repayment threshold to the median wage and abolish indexation of the loans.
Our Media
August 31, 2021
Uniform resource rent tax for a better future
Emma Dawson in Independent Australia
Ageing
April 2, 2019
Per Capita’s 2019 Fantasy Budget
Every year, progressive think tank Per Capita releases its fantasy budget: a set of budget priorities that, if implemented, would progress Australia towards a more equal society. Here are our budget priorities this year.
Education
July 12, 2018
Submission: Inquiry into the Competitive Neutrality of the National Broadcasters
Public broadcasting exists to serve the interests of the public as citizens, not as consumers.
Education
June 4, 2017
Stories to Tell: Protecting Australian Children’s Screen Content
Australian children’s screen content is facing an existential threat as a result of several distinct, but interrelated factors. This paper outlines these challenges and proposes a way forward for the ongoing support of original Australian children’s screen content in the digital age.
Education
March 6, 2014
Who’s Afraid of a Public School? Public Perceptions of Education in Australia
Children's education has become the new topic du jour in Australia. This report measures and explores the attitudes of Australians towards public education. By Verity Firth and Rebecca Huntley.
Education
October 21, 2013
Social Innovation, Public Good: New Approaches to Public Sector Productivity
How does one 'price' a well-educated child or a rapidly cured patient? This report argues that that we should look to the not-for-profit sector to measure social return on investment. By David Hetherington.
Education
July 21, 2013
Training Days: Models of Vocational Training Provision: Lessons from the Victorian Experience
Per Capita evaluates the experience of contestability in vocational training in Victoria. By David Hetherington.
Education
October 24, 2008
A better design of the market for vocational education and training in Australia?
Training is important to wider social and economic policy questions - but it is not done well enough at the moment and this needs to change. This paper argues that the case for reforming vocational education and training in Australia is strong. By Mmichael Cooney.