The Australian Government committed to an Australian Universities Accord to drive lasting and transformative reform in Australia’s higher education system.
The Government 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 was to devise recommendations and performance targets to 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.
Through the 2024-25 Budget and MYEFO, the Government is delivering on reforms recommended by the Australian Universities Accord to help build a better and fairer education system.
This includes the important structural reforms that are central to setting the tertiary education system up for the future: an Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), a Managed Growth Funding System, and demand-driven Needs-based Funding.
Reports
The Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP released the Final Report on 25 February 2024.
On 19 July 2023, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, announced the release of the Accord Interim Report.
The Interim Report outlines five recommendations for priority action to address fundamental challenges facing the Australian higher education system.
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.
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.
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.
Consultation
The Department of Education, on behalf of the Panel, heard views from stakeholders on Australia’s higher education system. A priority for the Panel was to ensure equal representation of views from across all sectors and groups affected by higher education policy. This included but was not limited to universities, educators and researchers, students, parents, unions, employers, state and territory governments and groups who have been underrepresented in higher education.
Contact us
For additional information, please email australianuniversitiesaccord@education.gov.au