What’s fair about defining disadvantage?

Could the government’s new higher education equity policy end up being unfair? It’s a risk we face, writes Andrew Norton.

Under draft policies, for the first time a low-SES classification would deliver significant benefits to individuals. Partnerships funding would oblige universities to actively seek low-SES students. University marketing and admissions requirements would favour those people classed as low SES. According to proposed guidelines released late last year, equity participation funding of up to $126 million a year is to be spent on low-SES students, to provide services such as academic preparation, mentoring and tutoring. Performance funding policies offer additional rewards for higher pass rates and...