Two young, creative students from Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland recently made a killingon Shark Tank with their innovative business idea involving a retro camera that they successfully launched on Kickstarter.
Shark Tank Australia has invested $500,000 in its distinctive digital camera, the Flashback ONE35, blends modern technology with retro looks.
Kelric Mullen and Mackenzie Salisbury met while at Cromwell College. On Kickstarter, their concept for the Flashback ONE35—a digital camera with a retro film camera design—gained momentum and raised about $800,000 from supporters.
The business is expected to achieve $15 million in sales in the coming year and has brought in more than $3 million since its introduction.
Shark Tank investor Maxine Horne especially liked the team’s vision and product. She saw the Flashback ONE35 attractive to newer generations drawn in by old events.
Working with Horne and using her experience to expand their company is something that excites them, the students said.
They also thanked their teachers and mentors, notably Jessie Lee Croghan, the high school business teacher who motivated them to pursue an entrepreneurial career.
Effective 1 July 2025, the reforms will introduce a one-off 20% reduction in existing HELP debt and increase the minimum repayment threshold from $54,435 to $67,000. A new marginal repayment system based solely on income above the threshold will be implemented.
This means that recent QUT graduates and current students will have more disposable income to manage their living expenses and reduce financial stress. The new system will benefit lower-income earners, with the most significant relief for those earning under $180,000 annually.
Key Points of HELP
Significant Debt Relief: A one-off 20% reduction in existing HELP debt.
Increased Repayment Threshold: The minimum repayment threshold will increase to $67,000.
New Marginal Repayment System: Repayments will be based solely on income above the threshold.
The decision to overhaul the HELP system is a major step towards making higher education more accessible and affordable. By increasing the minimum repayment threshold and introducing a new marginal repayment system, the government is recognising the financial challenges faced by recent graduates and ensuring a smoother transition into the workforce.
These changes will benefit QUT students and other Australian students, reducing their long-term debt burden and providing them with greater financial security.
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), located in Brisbane City, experienced mixed performance in two major global rankings. It fell between 201 and 250 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings while improving to 213th in the QS World University Rankings.
These 2024 rankings show a slight decline in the Times Higher Education ranking, where QUT dropped from 199th in 2023, but a marginal improvement in the QS ranking, which rose from 222nd last year.
Sources indicate that QUT’s performance aligns with a broader downward trend among Australian universities, with factors like reduced funding and diminishing international research partnerships cited as major concerns. Despite these challenges, QUT remains well-regarded for its strong programs, particularly in communication and media studies, which ranked 19th globally in the QS subject rankings for 2023.
QUT continues to perform well in various disciplines, such as engineering and nursing, but the drop in global rankings signals growing issues that extend beyond individual program success.
Like many Australian universities, QUT has faced difficulties maintaining its international presence, which is particularly concerning given its focus on attracting international students and fostering global research collaborations. Recent reports suggest that the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial constraints have impacted its ability to remain competitive on the world stage.
QUT’s decline in rankings reflects larger concerns across Australia’s higher education sector. A global higher education expert, Phil Baty, has pointed out that many Australian universities are losing ground internationally due to reduced funding and weaker international collaborations. Additionally, proposed caps on international student enrolments from 2025 may further affect QUT’s income and global standing. Baty suggests that such caps could diminish Australia’s reputation as a destination for higher education.
QUT has built its reputation on practical, hands-on education, connecting students with industry through internships and real-world projects. This approach remains a key part of QUT’s strategy, and the university continues to nurture strong ties with the business community.
However, broader sector-wide issues are affecting its global reputation, which could undermine its ability to maintain these important industry links. Whilst QUT remains a significant player in Australian education, its recent performance in global rankings highlights the challenges it faces in an increasingly competitive and financially constrained higher education environment.
The State Government, in cooperation with QUTand Spout Logic, has launched the Smart Ticketing System express gates trial at Brisbane’s Central Station.
The one-month trial will run from 22 October to 22 November 2019. Operating hours are between 7am and 9am and the trial will involve four gate exits at the Edward Street gates which can be opened using a Go card.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said that these trials and tests are part of building a world-class ticketing system for Queensland public transport. The trial is aimed at providing insights into how Translink customers use the express gates and how they can be improved to be more effective in the future.
“It will also be about listening to customers who have wanted faster gates, especially during peak times,” Mr Bailey said.
For the trial, the Queensland University of Technology and Spout Logic have been tapped to provide an independent academic research report on the key findings and recommendations for future improvements.
“QUT is involved in the project to provide independent academic feedback about the results of the trial. This will help TransLink in its decision-making about how best to serve its customers with new innovations,” Professor Alexander Paz said.
Another trial will also be undertaken on North Stradbroke Island Buses which will test the new on-board ticketing hardware. After Minjerribah, four other regions will follow: Innisfail, Bowen, Maryborough, and Hervey Bay.
The $371-million Smart Ticketing System will enable customers to use their smartphones, smartwatch, credit card or debit, apart from the go cards and paper tickets, to pay for their ridep; introduction across the state and 18 regional urban centres is slated to commence by the end of 2022.