Higher education providers receiving support from the Australian Government are responsible under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 
for ensuring equity of access. Supporting equity is an integral part of their general operations. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) provides additional support to universities for equity purposes, such as the Higher Education Equity Support Program (ESP) and the Higher Education Disability Support Program (DSP). These programs are administered by the Equity Unit in DEEWR’s Higher Education Group.
The Equity Unit also administers the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships to assist low socio-economic students, particularly those who are from rural and regional areas or Indigenous, with costs associated with higher education.
Support for Indigenous students in higher education is administered through DEEWR’s Indigenous and Transitions Group.
Equity outcomes in higher education are monitored through the Department's annual Institution Assessment Framework and biennial Equity Visits to universities by members of the Equity Unit.
DEEWR hosts the National Higher Education Student Equity Forum. The Equity Forum provides institutional equity practitioners and policy officers an excellent opportunity to come together to network amongst themselves and with DEEWR, and discuss the latest issues affecting equity in higher education.