CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann has welcomed the confirmation from Education Minister the Hon. Simon Birmingham the federal government will not cut higher education funding for 2016.

Senator Birmingham announced earlier this week the higher education funding arrangement for 2016 would not be changed from the currently legislated arrangement and the government would consult on any future change.

Professor Vann said the announcement would give universities certainty to plan for the year ahead.

"However, it seems that some sort of reform is still on the agenda and we are very keen to engage with Minister Birmingham on the development of these to ensure they meet the needs of the entire higher education sector," he said.

"We look forward to collaborating with the Minister and have already called his office to request a meeting.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to have productive discussions with government over the coming months and that together we will be able to do a good job of getting the measures and settings right for the future of our industry."

Professor Vann said CSU recognised and supported the need for the government to address funding challenges in the sector.

"We have always been prepared to support sensible reform proposals by the government," he said.

"But it is vital to ensure that students, particularly regional students, are not financially excluded from going to university.

"To ensure rural communities have access to trained professionals in critical areas, such as dentistry and oral health services, we need to give rural students access to rurally based educational opportunities.

"That must include a commitment to an appropriate level of government investment which allows regional universities to continue to grow for the benefit of their communities".