Hunt still on for votes on uni reforms

The Abbott government wants an early Christmas present from the Senate: approval of its higher education overhaul.

Universities Australia is helping the cause, taking out full-page advertisements in national newspapers on Monday urging senators to pass government legislation.

However, it's after three key changes.

The government wants to deregulate university fees, extend commonwealth support to private providers and degrees below bachelor level, cut the per-student funding level and increase interest rates on student debts.

Universities Australia is asking senators to ditch the interest rate changes, reduce the level of cuts and establish an assistance package to help out regional institutions.

"This is your chance to amend and pass a fair package that will leave a lasting legacy for our country," its open letter to senators states.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and Education Minister Christopher Pyne say negotiations are underway with Senate crossbenchers.

"It's very important that the higher education reforms successfully pass the Senate this sitting fortnight," Senator Cormann told ABC radio on Monday.

Mr Pyne is thrilled with the Universities Australia campaign, saying such overwhelming support from higher education leaders was unprecedented.

But the National Tertiary Education Union is unimpressed with the intervention, saying last-minute calls from Universities Australia won't alter the fundamental unfairness of deregulating fees to compensate for cutting university funding.

The legislation is listed for debate in the Senate on Monday.

Newly-independent senator Jacqui Lambie told parliament there was no way she would vote for the changes.

Labor and the Greens also oppose them, as do the remaining two Palmer United Party senators.