Southern Cross Model earns national award for equity-driven curriculum reform

As the newly established Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) aims to lift post-secondary attainment from six in ten to eight in ten Australians, Southern Cross University has won the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Success (ACSES) Award for Innovation and Excellence in Impact on Higher Education Policy and Practice 2026, in the Impact and Effectiveness category.  

The award, one of five presented nationally in 2026, recognises the transformative impact of the Southern Cross Model on higher education for regional and remote, first-in-family, First Nations and low-SES students, and students with disability.

ACSES Awards Judging Panel Member, Dr Cassy King, said: “This award is an outstanding exemplar of how the road to impact is paved by rigorous evaluation, intentional student engagement, and a genuine commitment to evidence-based practice.” 

PICTURED ABOVE: Professor Shamit Saggar (ACSES Executive Director) and Dr Cassy King (ACSES Awards Judging Panel Member and presenter of the award) with Dr Liz Goode, who received the award on behalf of the Southern Cross University team. 

Five years of consistent results 

The Southern Cross Model replaced semesters, lectures and exams with six-week terms, one or two unit enrolment loads, blended and active learning, and authentic assessment.   

With approximately 67 per cent of our domestic students identifying with one or more equity groups, and the reform embedded equity considerations into curricula, systems and policy from the outset. 

"The results reflect five years of consistent data across every intake, confirm the approach is working," said Professor Thomas Roche, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality) and co-lead of the reform.  

"We’re very aware each of those improved data points are points of joy in people’s lives, more people getting degrees to become nurses, teachers, lawyers, engineers and lead the lives they aspire to." 

Gains across every equity group 

Overall student success rates rose by more than 15 percentage points to 91 per cent, while commencing attrition fell by more than 10 percentage points to 19 per cent.  

Success rates increased across all equity groups and study contexts, including First Nations students, students with disability, low socio-economic status students, and online, part-time and enabling students.  

"These outcomes matter because they reflect the strengths and progress of students across every equity group and walk of life that we support," said Professor Erica Wilson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Innovation) and co-lead of the reform. 

"Innovation only counts when it’s reaching the students it was designed for, and our results show it is." 

The award follows international recognition for the model, which won Silver at the 2025 QS Reimagine Education Awards in the blended and presence learning category.