The report finds 80% of Australians will need a tertiary education by 2050.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has welcomed the biggest review of tertiary education in Australia in 15 years, the Australian Universities Accord.
The Federal Government commissioned the review, which resulted in 47 recommendations.
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman CBE said he supports any moves for the greater good of Australian education regarding access, quality, and retention.
"The Universities Accord is designed to transform the nation's higher education sector, and we support key recommendations that will help meet the skills demand and secure Australia’s economic future," he said.
The report recommends 80% of working-age Australians will need a tertiary education by 2050, up from 60%.
"Key to this will be attracting more students from disadvantaged backgrounds, something ECU is already heavily invested in," Professor Chapman said.
"ECU places considerable emphasis on attracting First Nations enrolments and providing access to remote and regional students. Our South West campus, and regional education hubs, like the ECU Learning Centre in Busselton are examples of this."
Professor Steve Chapman commended the panel's recommendations to introduce paid experience for courses such as Teaching and Nursing, which require extensive hours of work placement.
"ECU's workplace integrated learning programs already provide some opportunities for paid experience," he said.
"Take our IBM internships, which offer students paid work experience in a range of technology, design and sustainability industries."
UA Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said: "Universities Australia's members have embraced this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the policy landscape in which they operate.
"Clear and constructive consideration has been given to deep reforms that can underpin a system that educates more Australians, is open and international, and supports our research endeavours."
