Labor asks govt to rule out uni fee rises

Labor's education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has moved a motion in parliament calling on the government to outline its university funding plan from 2018.

Labor has called on the government to rule out any significant fee increases for university students (AAP)

Labor has used parliament to call on the federal government to rule out any significant fee increases for university students.

Deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek moved a motion in the House of Representatives on Monday asking the coalition to outline its intentions for higher education funding and fees from 2018 as the new academic year approaches.

"This year, in particular, there's a greater sense of anxiety because of the uncertainty created by the Liberals' absolute failure to declare what they declare to do with university funding in the future," she told MPs.

A record number of Australians - more than one million - are studying at universities and other higher education institutions.

Assistant minister Karen Andrews said the Turnbull government was investing $16.7 billion this financial year to provide more opportunities for students.

The focus was on supporting the "education highway" - from pre-school through to university or vocational education.

"Not looking in isolation at one part of education but looking at the totality," Ms Andrews told parliament.