The Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) established the Higher Education Standards Committee (HESC) under the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026 to provide expert advice on the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The HESC brings together members with experience from across the higher education sector. When appointing members, ATEC ensures there is an appropriate balance of professional knowledge and demonstrated expertise, including in higher education and in the development of standards relating to the quality of higher education. ATEC also considers contemporary experience in the provision of higher education by the range of registered higher education providers, along with the interests of the states and territories, current and prospective higher education students, and staff of higher education providers.
HESC members
- Professor Helen Bartlett, Chair
- Professor Pip Pattison OA, Deputy Chair
- Professor Paul Harpur OAM
- Professor Susan Page
- Professor Jacqueline Lo
- Professor Jeannie Rea
- Mr Felix Hughes, student representative
The roles and responsibilities of HESC include:
- considering matters referred to it by ATEC
- identifying emerging issues affecting higher education quality and integrity
- engaging with stakeholders across the sector
- considering evidence and feedback from consultation, and
- providing advice and recommendations to ATEC on the Threshold Standards.