The Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) will be an independent steward for the higher education system, tasked with creating a better and fairer tertiary education system that delivers for students and on national economic and social objectives.
Equity and participation
The ATEC will focus on making sure universities do their part to deliver on the Government’s commitment to lift tertiary education attainment to 80 per cent of working aged people by 2050 and raising equity participation and attainment. It will make sure that there are enough places at universities to allow more people to be able to access the opportunities that a higher education can deliver.
Sector collaboration
The ATEC will work with the sector and across governments promoting a joined-up tertiary system between VET and higher education to drive better pathways for students between the vocational education and training and higher education sectors. It will also foster partnerships with First Nations people and organisations to embed First Nations perspectives in its advice.
The Australian Universities Accord
In November 2022, the Australian Government commissioned the Australian Universities Accord (the Accord), the broadest review of the higher education sector in 15 years.
The ATEC was a headline recommendation of the Accord and is being implemented in line with its recommendations.