An announcement on university fee deregulation could be made soon, but whether that means it will be in the budget remains unclear.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham is consulting stakeholders after deferring until next year a plan for a 20 per cent cut in federal funding to universities and allowing them to raise student fees.
"I will have more to say before the election," he told AAP in a statement.
The proposal has been rejected by parliament twice and there are expectations details of the revised package will be unveiled in the May 3 budget.
Senator Birmingham has previously stated his intention to "refine and improve" a plan by his predecessor Christopher Pyne, while insisting the government remains committed to the reforms.
He has also offered assurances that any plan will ensure "fair and equitable" access to higher education for all students, regardless of their background.
Labor has long argued it will lead to $100,000 degrees.
The government's second failed version of the package enabled universities to set their own fees, expanded government funding to private providers and degrees below bachelor level, and abolished loan fees for vocational students.
A recent Parliamentary Budget Office report predicted student fees would soar by 40 per cent as universities recovered costs under the 20 per cent government funding cut.
On top of that, it projected student fees would increase by two per cent every year.
