Support is growing for controversial changes to the repayment of university loans, with an influential group of universities throwing its support behind the collection of HECS debts from deceased estates.

The Regional Universities Network (RUN) also backs the introduction of a new household income test for HECS debts in a submission to the government on higher education reform.

The change, described by the respected Grattan Institute as "radical", would see part-time workers or graduates who take time out of the workforce forced to pay back their loans if they have a wealthy partner.

The Turnbull government has called for submissions on the future of Australia's higher education system after releasing a policy options paper alongside the May budget. It went to the election without a set higher education policy, but has ruled out fully deregulating fees.