The Bradley Review was to consider and report on the future direction of the higher education sector, its fitness for purpose in meeting the needs of the Australian community and economy, and seek recommendations for reform and continuing improvement.
[1] The Review was conducted by an independent expert panel and was led by Emeritus Professor Denise Bradley AC, reporting to Minister for Education, Employment, Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion, the Hon Julia Gillard in December 2008.
The purpose of the funds allocation was to "support high quality teaching and learning, improve access and outcomes for students from low socio-economic backgrounds, build new links between universities and disadvantaged schools, reward institutions for meeting agreed quality and equity outcomes, improve resourcing for research and invest in world class tertiary education infrastructure".
[5] Following the Bradley Review, the Gillard Government implemented the demand driven system where Commonwealth Supported Places for domestic students to study undergraduate degrees at Australian universities were uncapped.
The higher attrition rate was ascribed to poorer academic preparation and inadequate support for these additional students once they had commenced study.