A new Federal Government guide is set to make it easier for secondary school students to transition into university, with expanded access to free bridging courses designed to build skills and confidence before starting a degree.
Education Minister Jason Clare has announced the launch of the FEE-FREE Uni Ready (FFUR) Best Practice Guide, developed by the University of Newcastle with $1.5 million in government funding. The guide will help universities deliver or expand short, fee-free courses that prepare students for university study.
For students finishing school, these programs offer an alternative pathway into higher education, particularly for those who may feel unsure about their readiness for university or who face barriers to entry.
The initiative follows recommendations from the Universities Accord, which called for a major expansion of these courses. In response, the government is investing an additional $1.1 billion over the next decade to grow access.
The courses are designed to support students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those from low-income families, students with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and those living in regional and remote areas.
Bridging programs focus on developing academic skills, study habits and confidence, helping students feel more prepared when they begin a degree.
Interest in these courses is growing. In 2025, more than 25,000 students enrolled in a free bridging course, with another 25,000 expected to take part this year. By 2030, that number is projected to reach 30,000 students annually, a 40 per cent increase from 2023 levels. By 2040, participation is expected to double from 2023 figures.
The push to expand these pathways is part of a broader national goal. The Universities Accord estimates that by 2050, 80 per cent of jobs will require a tertiary qualification, making access to university and TAFE more important than ever.
Minister Clare said the courses are designed to give students a stronger start.
“These free bridging courses are part of that. They give you the skills you need to succeed when you get to university,” he said.
“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.”
The Best Practice Guide is now available online at feefreeuniready.edu.au, as more universities prepare to expand fee-free pathways into higher education.
