The opposition has backed the federal government’s higher education reform agenda, saying its central aim to increase the number of people with degrees, particularly from underprivileged backgrounds, is the right ambition.

However, opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said expanding the sector from the current 860,000 students to 1.8 million by 2050 risked lowering admission standards, with the prospect of school-leavers with ATARs as low as 45 being accepted into degrees.