The Claim
“Cut $170 million from the Research Training Scheme, which supported research students.”
Original Sources Provided
✅ FACTUAL VERIFICATION
TRUE - The Coalition government did implement cuts to the Research Training Scheme (RTS) estimated to save approximately $170-173.7 million over three years [1][2].
The 2014-15 Budget announced that from 1 January 2016, the Government would reduce RTS funding and allow higher education providers to introduce student contributions for students undertaking higher degrees by research, including doctoral and masters degrees [1]. The official budget papers estimated this would achieve savings of $173.7 million over three years from 2015-16 [1].
Under the changes, universities could charge student contributions up to a maximum of $3,900 per equivalent full-time student (EFTS) for high-cost courses and $1,700 per EFTS for low-cost courses [1]. Eligible students would have access to loans under the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) to defer these payments.
The ABC reported in May 2014 that "fees of $3,900 for each postgrad research student, or $1,700 for low-cost students, will save around $170 million over three years" [2].
Missing Context
The claim omits several important contextual factors:
Student contributions were a new approach, not pure cuts: Unlike direct funding cuts, the policy allowed universities to charge fees to research students (with HELP loan access), shifting some costs from government to students [1].
Part of broader higher education reform: These changes were part of the Pyne higher education reforms that also included deregulation of university fees and expansion of the demand-driven system [3].
Coalition also increased medical research funding: The same budget established a $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) with planned $1 billion annual disbursements from 2022-23, plus $200 million over five years for dementia research [2][4].
Universities had already contributed significantly to budget repair: According to Universities Australia, students and universities had contributed around $3.9 billion in net savings between 2011-12 and 2016-17 under both Labor and Coalition governments [3].
The Research Training Scheme was later replaced: The RTS was eventually replaced by the Research Training Program (RTP) in 2017, which consolidated previous scholarship schemes [5].
Source Credibility Assessment
The original sources provided with the claim are:
- Universities Australia: The peak body representing Australian universities. While advocating for university interests, they are a credible source on funding matters and their media releases are based on official budget documentation [1][3].
- Australian Financial Review (AFR): A mainstream financial newspaper with strong reputation for accurate reporting on economic and policy matters. Generally considered a reliable source [cited in original claim].
Both sources are credible and fact-based, though Universities Australia naturally presents information from a sector-advocacy perspective.
Labor Comparison
Did Labor do something similar?
YES - The Labor government also made significant cuts to university and research funding:
$2.3 billion in university funding cuts (2013): In April 2013, the Gillard Labor government cut more than $2 billion from university funding to help pay for the Gonski school funding reforms [6]. The ABC reported: "Labor refuses to back own move to cut university funding by $2.3b" [6].
2013-14 Budget decisions: Labor decided against recommendations for a 10% increase in base funding for teaching and learning, and instead implemented substantial cuts [7].
Universities Australia analysis: Their 2017 report documented that "Students and universities have contributed around $3.9 billion in net savings between 2011-12 and 2016-17" under governments of "both political persuasions" [3]. This demonstrates that budget pressures affected research funding regardless of which party was in power.
Comparison of approaches:
- Coalition (2014): Reduced RTS funding by ~$173.7 million over 3 years, allowed universities to charge research students (with HELP support)
- Labor (2013): Cut $2+ billion from university base funding, a significantly larger reduction in absolute terms
Balanced Perspective
While the claim that the Coalition cut $170 million from the Research Training Scheme is factually accurate, the full picture reveals this was part of a broader pattern of higher education budget constraints affecting both major parties:
The Coalition's rationale:
- The changes were part of a comprehensive higher education reform package
- The government argued that allowing student contributions (with HELP loans) was a more sustainable funding model
- The same budget prioritized medical research through the $20 billion MRFF [2][4]
Context of budget repair:
- Both parties sought savings from the higher education sector
- Universities Australia's analysis shows $3.9 billion in net contributions from the sector between 2011-2017 under both governments [3]
- The $170 million RTS reduction was smaller than Labor's $2+ billion cuts the previous year
Impact on research students:
- Research students faced new fees up to $3,900 per year (or $1,700 for low-cost courses)
- However, HELP loan availability meant upfront costs were not required
- The policy was intended to be implemented from 2016, giving universities time to adjust
This was not unique Coalition policy - both parties have reduced university and research funding when facing budget pressures. The Coalition's approach differed in allowing cost-shifting to students rather than direct institutional cuts, but the overall trend of reduced public investment in research training spans both governments.
PARTIALLY TRUE
6.0
out of 10
The claim accurately states that the Coalition cut approximately $170 million from the Research Training Scheme. However, it presents this as a standalone negative action without acknowledging:
- The mechanism (allowing universities to charge fees with HELP support, not pure funding withdrawal)
- The broader context of both parties cutting higher education funding
- Labor's significantly larger $2+ billion cuts the previous year
- The Coalition's simultaneous establishment of the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund
The claim is factually correct about the dollar amount and the action, but lacks important context about the bipartisan nature of higher education budget constraints and the specific policy mechanism used.
Final Score
6.0
OUT OF 10
PARTIALLY TRUE
The claim accurately states that the Coalition cut approximately $170 million from the Research Training Scheme. However, it presents this as a standalone negative action without acknowledging:
- The mechanism (allowing universities to charge fees with HELP support, not pure funding withdrawal)
- The broader context of both parties cutting higher education funding
- Labor's significantly larger $2+ billion cuts the previous year
- The Coalition's simultaneous establishment of the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund
The claim is factually correct about the dollar amount and the action, but lacks important context about the bipartisan nature of higher education budget constraints and the specific policy mechanism used.
📚 SOURCES & CITATIONS (6)
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1PDF
Budget 2014 - Issues Directly Affecting Students and University Research Funding
Iru Edu • PDF Document -
2
Australian federal budget 2014 - The Science Show
Climate science and incentives for linking innovation with industry cut. Medical research boosted.
ABC listen -
3PDF
The Facts on University Funding
Universitiesaustralia Edu • PDF Document -
4
What is the Research Training Program (RTP)?
Askus2 Ecu Edu
-
5
Labor refuses to back own move to cut university funding by $2.3b
The latest policy reversal on schools funding has come from the federal Labor Party - the driver of the multi-billion-dollar Gonski plan - which is now refusing to back legislation it introduced to slash university funding by $2.3 billion.
Abc Net -
6
Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 - Senate Report
On 4 September 2014, the Senate referred the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014 to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report. The closing date for submissions is 22 September 2014. The reporting date is 28 Oct
Aph Gov
Rating Scale Methodology
1-3: FALSE
Factually incorrect or malicious fabrication.
4-6: PARTIAL
Some truth but context is missing or skewed.
7-9: MOSTLY TRUE
Minor technicalities or phrasing issues.
10: ACCURATE
Perfectly verified and contextually fair.
Methodology: Ratings are determined through cross-referencing official government records, independent fact-checking organizations, and primary source documents.