Australian Universities Accord

Australian Universities Accord

The Australian Government has committed to an Australian Universities Accord to drive lasting and transformative reform in Australia’s higher education system. The Accord is an opportunity to build a visionary plan for Australia’s universities and higher education sector.

The Government has invested $2.7 million over two years from 2022–23 to deliver the Australian Universities Accord through a 12-month review of Australia’s higher education system, led by a Panel of eminent Australians (the Panel).

The objective of the Accord is to devise recommendations and performance targets that will improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of higher education, in order to achieve long term security and prosperity for the sector and the nation.

Minister for Education’s Accord Statement

On 16 November 2022 at the Bradley Oration, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, announced details of the Australian Universities Accord, the Panel and the Accord Terms of Reference.

Reports

The Accord Panel will release an Interim Report and a Final Report throughout the 12-month higher education review.

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Australian Universities Accord Panel

The Panel of eminent Australians was formally appointed to comprehensively consider a range of issues through the Accord, across teaching and learning, funding and regulatory settings, strengthening engagement between the higher education and vocational education and training sectors, research and international education.

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Terms of Reference for the review

The Terms of Reference identifies seven priority areas. The Accord will deliver recommendations focused on these themes, including targets as required.

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Consultation

Consultation is integral to the success of this review.

The Department of Education, on behalf of the Panel, will be seeking views from all stakeholders on Australia’s higher education system. A priority for the Panel will be to ensure equal representation of views from across all sectors and groups affected by higher education policy. This will include but is not limited to universities, educators and researchers, students, parents, unions, employers, state and territory governments and groups who have been underrepresented in higher education – everyone will get a say regarding the future of Australia’s higher education system.

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Contact us

For additional information, please email australianuniversitiesaccord@education.gov.au

Announcements