Load Management & Planning
An AAIR Special Interest Group (SIG)
What is Load Management and Planning?
Load Management and Planning is a critical process that helps institutions forecast, monitor, and strategically manage student load. It directly influences budget planning and resource allocation, shaping the scale and sustainability of institutional operations.
With the Australian Universities Accord introducing major reforms to student load management and core teaching and learning funding, staying informed and connected is essential.
About the SIG
The Load Management and Planning SIG is a collaborative forum for professionals across the higher education sector. It provides opportunities to:
- Share insights and best practices
- Discuss emerging policy and funding changes
- Build networks and strengthen institutional planning
Whether you’re working on admissions modelling, budget forecasting, or adapting to new funding frameworks, the SIG offers a space to engage with peers and contribute to sector-wide discussions.
Key Focus Areas
- Commonwealth policy affecting institutional load
- Working with ATEC and enhanced compacts
- Transitioning to the Managed Growth Funding System (MGFS) and Needs Based Funding (NBF)
- International Student Caps (NOSC)
- Student load planning
- Budget forecasting and forward estimates
- Admissions modelling and reporting
Get Involved
Share your expertise. Learn from others.
Together, we can strengthen our institutions through smarter planning and informed decision-making.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me (contact information below) to suggest topics for our group discussions or even do a short presentation.
Gabrielle Harrison, SIG Chair.
About your Chair
Gabrielle Harrison is a seasoned higher education professional with over thirty years of experience across multiple institutions in Victoria. Her career spans a diverse range of roles including academic administration, marketing, student recruitment, admissions, legislative reporting (HIEMS and TCSI), business and functional analysis, application design, systems implementation, and data integration and warehousing. Currently serving as a Senior Advisor in Funding Policy and Planning at The University of Melbourne, Gabrielle is known as a ‘friendly neighbourhood data wrangler’, delivering strategic insights and analysis to support student profile development, target setting, and load planning.
Gabrielle Harrison
SIG Chair
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