Our motivation

The privatisation of the Australian education system has produced locational, cultural and economic disadvantages for high-school students. We’re on a mission to bridge this education gap and dismantle barriers to accessing tertiary education.

Educational inequality in Australia is a pressing issue. UNICEF ranks Australia 5 times higher than the OECD average for inequitable resource allocation to disadvantaged schools. This imbalance leads to stark outcomes.

Fewer than 1 in 10 domestic undergraduate enrolments at Group of Eight universities come from students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2021, university applications from students from regional or remote areas fell by 3.2%. At the same time, applications from students from metropolitan areas increased by 4.5%.

Unique challenges

Locational, cultural and economic barriers create significant disadvantages for many high-school students:

  • Challenges related to refugee status or having English as a second language

  • Difficulty transitioning from tight-knit communities to urban campuses

  • Financial barriers related to the costs of attending high school and university, and of relocation

  • Limited access to 1:1 support to build academic and professional skills

  • Limited access to mentoring, student networks and career support

  • Limited awareness of scholarships and other opportunities

  • Lower educational expectations for first-generation university students

  • Weaker parent–school partnerships to support education

These barriers prevent many talented students from accessing university, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage and undermining Australia’s commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education).

ITE’s mission and goals align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. No poverty
4. Quality education
10. Reduced inequalities

Education equity matters

Investing in education is transformative, socially and economically:

  • Underprivileged students who receive personalised tutoring and peer mentorship have better academic performance, confidence and university admission rates (Grillo & Leist, 2013)

  • Tertiary (as opposed to only secondary) education increases lifetime earnings by 34% (Lamb & Huo, 2017)

  • Each missed opportunity for tertiary education costs the Australian government an average of $16,119 in lost tax revenue (OECD, 2023)

By breaking down barriers and enabling equitable access to higher education, we empower students to unlock their potential. This doesn’t just benefit individuals. It strengthens communities, contributes to national economic health, and helps to build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.