Australia and New Zealand are witnessing unprecedented government investment in higher education accessibility. The Australian Universities Accord has delivered a 400% increase in disability support funding (+$40M annually), while New Zealand's mandatory Kia Ōrite Toolkit is revolutionizing institutional approaches to inclusive education. 

For university leaders navigating these transformative policy shifts, the challenge is clear: how do you maximize government investment impact while meeting new accountability requirements? 

The Government Investment Landscape 

As part of the 2024 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), the Australian Government has quadrupled the Disability Support Fund to increase support for students with disability in higher education, commencing payment in 2025. This represents the largest accessibility investment in higher education history. 

The Scalability Challenge 

Our recent industry survey found that most disability offices operating with just 1-9 staff while supporting 2,500+ students, and traditional service models cannot absorb the increasing service demand and government expectations. 

Technology Solutions Meeting Government Requirements

The disability support fund increase comes with specific performance expectations that Symplicity Access can help to address: 

• Operational Efficiency: Automated reasonable adjustment approvals eliminate manual bottlenecks. Evidence from partner universities shows that up to 80% of adjustment renewals can be processed automatically, freeing staff capacity for higher-value student engagement. 

• Data-Driven Accountability: Built-in reporting provides ROI demonstration government funding demands 

• Student-Centered Experience: Modern, accessible interfaces serving large student populations 

• Institutional Integration: An interconnected platform that links students, faculty, and services to support an “all-of-institution” approach. 

Key compliance features include: 

• Centralized workflow management for all support requests 

• Secure student data storage for reporting and historical reference 

• Smart appointment management with e-signatures for accountability 

• Accessibility standards compliance 
• Insightful reporting on resourcing, timings, and outcomes 

Holistic Wellbeing and Compliance 

In this context, universities are recognising that accessibility and student wellbeing are inseparable. Partners consistently show that the most effective learning adjustments are those framed around wellbeing outcomes—supporting not just access to study, but belonging, persistence, and student success. 

Symplicity Advocate's comprehensive approach enables institutions to meet both accessibility requirements and wider duty of care obligations: 

• Integrated Case Management: Handle accessibility alongside conduct, wellbeing, and safety concerns 

• Proactive Risk Management: Identify issues before they become compliance problems 

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Enable coordinated information sharing across all departments 

• Proven Efficiency: Institutions report significant savings in staff time and administrative costs by replacing manual, paper-based processes with streamlined digital systems. 

Measurable Impact: Government Expectations vs. Technology Solutions

Global Recognition and Competitive Advantage 

Universities implementing comprehensive accessibility platforms establish lasting competitive advantages: 

• International Recognition: Demonstrable inclusion commitment attracts international students and research opportunities 

• Operational Excellence: Government funding maximized through efficient, scalable service delivery 

• Risk Mitigation: Reduced legal and compliance risks through comprehensive documentation 
• Student Outcomes: Seamless accessibility services directly correlate with improved retention and academic success

The Strategic Imperative: Don’t Miss the Moment 

The convergence of government investment, proven technology solutions, and rising student expectations has created a narrow window of opportunity. Universities that hesitate will pay the price: rushed implementations, higher costs, difficulty proving ROI to government stakeholders, and the risk of losing students to more accessible competitors. 

Your Next 90 Days Matter Most 

The real risk isn’t moving too soon—it’s waiting too long. Every day without modern systems is a missed opportunity to: 

• Unlock and maximise new government funding. 

• Build operational efficiencies that free staff for higher-value student support. 

• Generate meaningful reporting that proves impact and secures accountability. 

• Position your university as a leader in accessibility, wellbeing, and inclusion. 

The question isn’t whether technology-enabled accessibility is the future. It’s whether your university will seize the moment to lead—or watch others take the advantage while you struggle to catch up. 

Discover how Symplicity Access and Advocate can transform your university's disability support funding into measurable student accessibility outcomes. For more information on how Symplicity can support your institution, contact Mark Pink, Sales Director APAC mpink@symplicity.com.