Equity groups
In 1990 the Commonwealth Government nominated six groups, because of their history of disadvantage in relation to higher education, as the targets for equity planning. The groups are:
- Indigenous Australians and Australian South Sea Islanders
- people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (Low SES)
- people from rural and isolated areas
- people with disabilities
- people of non-English speaking backgrounds, and
- women (especially women in non-traditional areas of study)
The Commonwealth provides funding to universities to improve the access, participation, retention and success of the targeted equity groups.
More information about DEEWR equity programs can be found on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.
For a report on equity group progress at the national level read 'Higher Education Report for the 2003 to 2005 Triennium' available on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.