16309 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Universities

16309 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Universities: Does the Minister agree with the Tertiary Education Commission, that the current tertiary funding system results in universities prioritising 'achieving growth in their own enrolments, even if this is at the expense of other Tertiary Education Organisations and if not, why not?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: Yes. Universities are autonomous institutions that set their own strategies, including growth assumptions. Given we have a volume-based funding model, tertiary education organisations are incentivised to attract further students while ensuring quality remains high.