Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations - CAPA

CAPA had a busy start to the year!
📣Here are some highlights and media pieces we’ve been involved in for the first quarter of the year ✨

Doubling of the cost of a key visa used by graduates to stay in the country between jobs has sparked critique and consternation.

CAPA welcomes findings from the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) and acknowledges the courage and strength of every student who has spoken up about these practices.

CAPA welcomes the Ambitious Australia Final Report’s recommendations of $50,000 per year stipend for PhD candidates, and removing taxation on all part-time PhD stipends.

Today the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, on behalf of 22 student led organisations, sent a letter to the Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon. Tony Burke MP. to reverse the doubling of the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa application costs, for all postgraduate students.

Students hope the current government will allow an open dialogue with us to provide further consultation
on these matters so that we can work towards an amenable solution 🙌🏼

CAPA, NUS and NTEU outline landmark comprehensive reform agenda for Victorian Parliament University Governance Inquiry.

CAPA urges the Government to rethink this decision and engage in meaningful consultation with student representatives and sector stakeholders.

CAPA calls on authorities to protect - not suppress - the right to protest, and for independent oversight of policing at demonstrations.

The 26th January is a hard day for Indigenous Australians. It is a day of mourning, a day of invasion.

CAPA welcomes stronger tertiary governance but warns the proposed Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) must embed robust student consultation, protect academic freedom, and safeguard equitable access to study.

Introducing our 2026 National Representatives Council 🫰🏼