Melinda Hildebrandt

Melinda is a Policy Fellow at the Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, specialising in higher education policy and education systems reform.

Her work focuses on improving equity, access and outcomes across the education lifecycle, from early childhood and school education through to tertiary education, skills and employment. She combines policy analysis and research to examine the systems and settings that shape educational opportunity, with expertise in higher education funding and reform, student debt and affordability, international education, workforce skills, and pathways between education, training and work.

Through her work at the Mitchell Institute, Melinda has contributed to national discussions on major education reforms and policy issues, including the Universities Accord, needs-based funding, international student caps, graduate outcomes, ATAR and post-school pathways, and full-service schools. She is a regular media commentator on education policy, higher education and system reform.

Melinda also advises disability organisations, educators and community groups, drawing on both professional and lived experience to promote disability awareness and reduce barriers to inclusion.