The Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP) consulted on proposed amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.
- Date opened
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- Date closed
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The consultation is now closed
The HESP has considered feedback from written submissions, feedback form responses, consultation meetings and webinar contributions.
The HESP appreciates the level of engagement in the consultation and the views and expertise shared. Following its 26 March 2026 meeting, the HESP issued a communiqué.
From 29 April 2026, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission has responsibility for advice on the Threshold Standards. For further information, see the ATEC’s Threshold Standards page.
The HESP Communiqué
Consultation submissions
Where permission has been granted, submissions have been published.
Read the HESP consultation submissions
Consultation paper
The consultation paper covered the following issues:
- Demonstrating a commitment to addressing racism
- Incorporating University Governance Principles and transparency requirements
- Supporting people with disability
- Responding to emerging technology risks, including Generative AI (GenAI)
- Approaches to a cyclical review of the Threshold Standards
Webinars
In addition to online submissions, webinars were run from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March.
Webinar topics included:
- Addressing racism
- Governance principles and transparency
- Support for people with disability
- Emerging technology risks (GenAI)
There was also two dedicated webinars across the above topics for First Nations People and Students and Youth.
Consultation submissions
The Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP) consulted on amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.
The consultation invited feedback on: responding to racism, governance principles, disability inclusion, risks associated with emerging technologies, and approaches to a cyclical review, as set out in the published Consultation Paper.
During the consultation period, the HESP received 90 written submissions and online responses from a range of higher education providers, peak bodies and advocacy groups, as well as individuals. Submissions are published where permission to publish has been provided.
View Submissions to the Higher Education Standards Panel Consultation