Bill
Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025
passed, as at 2026-04-01. Education portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Education
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2025-11-26
- second reading — 2025-11-26
- second reading — 2026-02-05
- second reading — 2026-02-09
- second reading — 2026-02-10
- third reading — 2026-02-10
- introduced — 2026-03-03
- second reading — 2026-03-03
- second reading — 2026-03-30
- second reading — 2026-03-30
- committee — 2026-03-30
- third reading — 2026-03-30
- passed — 2026-03-30
- royal assent — 2026-04-01
Divisions
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2025-11-26.
This bill is part of a package that establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) as the steward of the higher education system.
The package would create a National Tertiary Education Objective, require ATEC to consider it, and set up a three-member commission with a First Nations Commissioner.
The package would also introduce mission-based compacts with higher education providers, which could lead to compliance action if not in force for a year.
- Establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) as the steward of the higher education system.
- Creates a National Tertiary Education Objective (NTEO) that ATEC must have regard to.
- Provides for ATEC to be led by three independent commissioners, including a First Nations Commissioner.
- Requires ATEC to establish a First Nations Advisory Committee.
- Introduces mission-based compacts with higher education providers, with potential compliance action under HESA if not in force.
- Embeds equity by requiring ATEC to consider improving outcomes for people facing systemic barriers to education.
Higher education providers, students, First Nations communities, and people facing systemic barriers to education.
Sources
em
billhome
frl act