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The priorities and deliverables of the ATEC include progressing work towards a joined-up tertiary system in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) and state and territory governments.
ATEC will build upon JSA’s report, Opportunity and Productivity: Towards a Tertiary Harmonisation Roadmap to help promote equitable access to tertiary education, better enable students to navigate the tertiary education system, and help students obtain the combination of knowledge and skills needed to successfully participate in the labour market.
Tertiary roadmap
The ATEC is leading the development of a Tertiary Roadmap (the Roadmap), supported by a new Tertiary System Advisory Council (the Council) chaired by Professor Barney Glover AO in his dual role as JSA Commissioner and interim Chief Commissioner of the ATEC. The Roadmap will set out practical steps to make it easier for learners to navigate the education and training system and move between VET and higher education.
It will also encourage collaboration between tertiary providers, business, and unions to deliver well-designed education and training programs to deliver on Australia’s future skills needs.
The Council will have broad membership, including representatives from business, unions, the VET and higher education sectors, First Nations, the Australian Government, and a representative from each state and territory.
Consultation
To support consultation, ATEC has developed a discussion paper which focuses on learner experiences and identifies barriers people face when entering, moving between, and engaging across vocational education and training (VET) and higher education and invites feedback on how they could be addressed through the Roadmap.
Stakeholders are invited to consider the discussion questions and provide feedback on reform opportunities identified, including highlighting any significant gaps or suggesting additional opportunities.
Visit Tertiary Roadmap Consultation to find out how you can participate in the consultation and provide your feedback.
National Credit Recognition Framework
On Monday 9 March 2026, Ministers Clare and Giles formally announced that the ATEC will be developing a National Credit Recognition Framework (the Framework).
The Framework will build on the work some TAFEs and universities are already doing to reduce the length of a degree for students who have VET qualifications in the same field of education, such as nursing and teaching.
The Framework will be developed in consultation with the Department of Education, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Jobs and Skills Australia and in close collaboration with state and territory governments.
The Framework will be able to be implemented by universities from 1 January 2027 and will be part of the Tertiary Roadmap.