Bill
Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) 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 — 2026-02-09
- committee — 2026-02-09
- committee — 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
- other — 2026-03-31
- passed — 2026-03-31
- royal assent — 2026-04-01
Divisions
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2026-02-05.26.2) introduced by Berowra MP [Julian Leeser](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/berowra/julian_leeser) (Liberal), which means it failed. ### Amendment text > *That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > > *"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:* > > *(1) notes with concern that:* > >> *(a) Australia's tertiary education sector is significantly over-regulated;* >> >> *(b) providers report to multiple competing and overlapping bodies; and* >> >> *(c) some providers are required by law to deal with more than 300 different pieces of legislation and regulation;* > > *(2) affirms that the objective of tertiary education in Australia must focus on teaching, learning and research, and should otherwise be aimed at promoting a dynamic and innovative sector that provides a positive student experience, delivers value for money, improves Australia's productivity and supports Australian values;* > > *(3) further notes widespread concern among the tertiary sector and expert stakeholders about the drafting of this legislation; and* > > *(4) calls for this legislation to be the subject of proper and thorough scrutiny".* — 2026-02-09, House of Representatives: negative, ayes 41, noes 95
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2026-02-09.133.1) to agree with the main idea of [the bill](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7416). In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill for a second time. ### What does this bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2526/26bd038), which is a document prepared by the parliamentary library: > *The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 (the Bill) provides for the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to provide stewardship of the higher education system.* > > *The Bill enshrines a National Tertiary Education Objective (NTEO), to which ATEC must have regard in performing its functions.* > > *Establishing ATEC was a recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord, although not all components of the recommendations are included in the Bill. The Minister would appoint three commissioners, including a First Nations Commissioner. At least one must have experience with vocational education and training (VET). ATEC will be assisted by the Department of Education.* > > *As well as the NTEO, and specific criteria in the Bill, ATEC must have regard to the Minister’s short-term and long-term strategic priorities when performing functions or exercising powers.* > > *ATEC is to provide advice and recommendations on a number of prescribed areas and/or upon request by the Minister. It would also provide:* > > * *an annual report on the state of the tertiary education system* > > * *advice and recommendations on the Higher Education Standards Framework.* > > *ATEC would establish and monitor performance through mission based compacts with Table A and B providers, which will outline how the provider’s purpose, values and goals align with national, state and local priorities, planning a — 2026-02-09, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 95, noes 39
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2026-02-09.137.1) introduced by Berowra MP [Julian Leeser](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/berowra/julian_leeser) (Liberal), which means it was unsuccessful. Mr Leeser [explained that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debate/?id=2026-02-09.137.1): > *the national tertiary education objective, as drafted, is not fit to proceed. Amending it should be a necessary but not sufficient consideration for legislating anything like an [Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC)]. So this amendment changes it. It's a simple and straightforward amendment, and I'd like to think it's uncontroversial.* ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 13, page 10 (lines 19 to 23), omit subclause (1), substitute:* > >> *(1) The National Tertiary Education Objective is the objective for tertiary education in Australia to:* >> >>> *(a) develop a world-class tertiary education sector that drives excellence in teaching and learning; and* >>> >>> *(b) deliver world-leading research and scholarship, particularly in strategic areas of national significance; and* >>> >>> *(c) improve productivity by developing a highly skilled, adaptable and productive workforce; and* >>> >>> *(d) establish close links between tertiary education providers, industry and business to strengthen student outcomes and support innovation across the economy; and* >>> >>> *(e) deliver positive student experiences across the tertiary education sector; and* >>> >>> *(f) promote competition and innovation across the tertiary education sector; and* >>> >>> *(g) support Australian values, including equality of opportunity, the rule of law, and Western liberal democratic traditions; and* >>> >>> *(h) drive efficiency across the sector to provide value for money for students and the Australian taxpayer; and* >>> >>> *(i) reduce regulatory burdens on the tertiary education sector where practicable.* — 2026-02-10, House of Representatives: negative, ayes 39, noes 96
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.184.9) to agree with the main idea of the bills. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bills for a second time. This means the bills can now be considered in greater detail. ### What does this bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2526/26bd038), which is a document prepared by the parliamentary library: > *The [Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7416) (the Bill) provides for the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to provide stewardship of the higher education system.* > > *The Bill enshrines a National Tertiary Education Objective (NTEO), to which ATEC must have regard in performing its functions.* > > *Establishing ATEC was a recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord, although not all components of the recommendations are included in the Bill.* > > *The Minister would appoint three commissioners, including a First Nations Commissioner. At least one must have experience with vocational education and training (VET). ATEC will be assisted by the Department of Education.* > > *As well as the NTEO, and specific criteria in the Bill, ATEC must have regard to the Minister’s short-term and long-term strategic priorities when performing functions or exercising powers.* > > *ATEC is to provide advice and recommendations on a number of prescribed areas and/or upon request by the Minister. It would also provide:* > > * *an annual report on the state of the tertiary education system* > > * *advice and recommendations on the Higher Education Standards Framework.* > > *ATEC would establish and monitor performance through mission based compacts with Table A and B providers, which will outline how the provider’s purpose, value — 2026-03-30, Senate: affirmative, ayes 37, noes 26
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.189.3) introduced by WA Senator [Matt O’Sullivan](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/wa/matt_o'sullivan) (Liberal), which means it was unsuccessful. ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 13, page 10 (lines 19 to 23), omit subclause (1), substitute:* > > *(1) The National Tertiary Education Objective is the objective for tertiary education in Australia to:* > >> *(a) develop a world-class tertiary education sector that drives excellence in teaching and learning; and* >> >> *(b) deliver world-leading research and scholarship, particularly in strategic areas of national significance; and* >> >> *(c) improve productivity by developing a highly skilled, adaptable and productive workforce; and* >> >> *(d) establish close links between tertiary education providers, industry and business to strengthen student outcomes and support innovation across the economy; and* >> >> *(e) deliver positive student experiences across the tertiary education sector; and* >> >> *(f) promote competition and innovation across the tertiary education sector; and* >> >> *(g) support Australian values, including equality of opportunity, the rule of law, and Western liberal democratic traditions; and* >> >> *(h) drive efficiency across the sector to provide value for money for students and the Australian taxpayer; and* >> >> *(i) reduce regulatory burdens on the tertiary education sector where practicable.* — 2026-03-30, Senate: negative, ayes 28, noes 35
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.191.3) that clause 69 of the [Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7416) "stand as printed". In other words, they voted to keep that clause as it is. This vote was put after the Greens proposed that clause 69 be removed from the bill. ### What is clause 69? > *69 Ministerial agreement for publication of advice or recommendations* > > *Unless another provision of this Act requires the ATEC to publish advice or recommendations, the ATEC must seek and obtain the agreement of the Minister before publishing any advice or recommendations given by the ATEC to any person, including advice or recommendations given under section 41 (advice and recommendations).* — 2026-03-30, Senate: affirmative, ayes 29, noes 15
- The majority voted in favour of [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.194.3) introduced by the Australian Greens, which means they failed. These amendments are on the subject of: ATEC independence; research and research training; the expertise of ATEC Commissioners; the objects of the bill (i.e., the ission and role of higher education) and the Higher Education Standards Committee. ### Amendment text SHEET 3667 > *(1) Clause 4, page 3 (line 17), omit "if requested by the Minister".* > > *(2) Clause 11, page 8 (line 27), omit "if requested by the Minister".* > > *(3) Clause 11, page 9 (line 4), omit "if requested by the Minister".* > > *(4) Clause 40, page 26 (line 6), omit "ATEC must give", substitute "ATEC may give".* > > *(5) Clause 40, page 26 (lines 10 to 12), omit "and must be given at the request of the Minister and, in relation to the tertiary education system, the VET Minister".* > > *(6) Clause 41, page 27 (line 4), omit "If requested by the Minister, the ATEC must", substitute "The ATEC may".* > > *(7) Clause 41, page 28 (lines 7 and 8), omit "If requested by the Minister and, if the Minister is not the VET Minister, the VET Minister, the ATEC must", substitute "The ATEC may".* > > *(8) Clause 41, page 28 (lines 22 to 25), omit subclause (3).* SHEET 3670 > *(1) Clause 11, page 9 (after line 25), after paragraph (f), insert:* > >> *(fa) to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister in relation to research and research training;* > > *(2) Clause 41, page 27 (after line 6), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:* > >> *(aa) research and research training;* > > *(3) Clause 42, page 29 (after line 14), after paragraph (2)(c), insert:* > >> *(ca) the extent to which the higher education system is delivering high quality research and research training;* SHEET 3672 > *(1) Clause 59, page 42 (after line 3), after subparagraph (a)(iii), insert:* > >> *(iiia) research and research training;* SHEET 3720 > *(1) Clause 3, page 3 (line 2), — 2026-03-30, Senate: affirmative, ayes 36, noes 27
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.197.3) introduced by the Australian Greens party, which means they were unsuccessful. The amendments were on the subject of: access and participation, diversity and inclusion, student contributions, publication of advice and recommendations and the National Tertiary Education Objective. Note that Queensland Senator [Malcolm Roberts](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/queensland/malcolm_roberts) (One Nation) [stated following this vote](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.199.1) that he would like One Nation's vote to be recorded as in support of the amendments listed below as belonging to sheet 3674. ### Amendment text SHEET 3668 revised > *(1) Clause 3, page 2 (after line 27), after paragraph (1)(f), insert:* > >> *(fa) to improve access to, and participation and success in, the higher education system for persons from culturally and racially marginalised communities, persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics and persons with disability;* SHEET 3669 > *(1) Clause 11, page 9 (line 9), after "socioeconomic background", insert ", persons from racially and culturally marginalised communities, persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics".* > > *(2) Clause 14, page 11 (lines 1 and 2), after "socioeconomic background", insert ", persons from racially and culturally marginalised communities, persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics".* > > *(3) Clause 41, page 27 (line 30), after "socioeconomic background", insert ", persons from racially and culturally marginalised communities, persons with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics".* > > *(4) Clause 42, page 29 (line 29), after "socioeconomic background", insert ", persons from racially and cultur — 2026-03-30, Senate: negative, ayes 12, noes 33
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.200.3) introduced by One Nation, which means they were unsuccessful. ### Amendment text > *(1) Clause 42, page 29 (after line 5), after subclause (1), insert:* > >> *(1A) A report must include an assessment of the outcomes of tertiary education for graduates including:* >> >>> *(a) average starting salaries for graduates across different industries and sectors; and* >>> >>> *(b) average time taken after graduation for graduates to gain full-time employment across different industries and sectors.* — 2026-03-30, Senate: negative, ayes 6, noes 39
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2026-03-30.211.5) to pass the bills in Senate. The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 will now return to the House of Representatives, where our MPs will decide on whether they agree with the Senate amendments. Because the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 has been passed in its final form in both houses of parliament, so it will now become law. ### What does this bill do? According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2526/26bd038), which is a document prepared by the parliamentary library: > *The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 (the Bill) provides for the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to provide stewardship of the higher education system.* > > *The Bill enshrines a National Tertiary Education Objective (NTEO), to which ATEC must have regard in performing its functions.* > > *The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 (the C&T Bill) amends related legislation to implement the Bill, including transferring responsibilities for the Higher Education Standards Framework to Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), and enabling information sharing between the Department of Education and ATEC.* > > *Establishing ATEC was a recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord, although not all components of the recommendations are included in the Bill. The Minister would appoint three commissioners, including a First Nations Commissioner. At least one must have experience with vocational education and training (VET). ATEC will be assisted by the Department of Education.* > > *As well as the NTEO, and specific criteria in the Bill, ATEC must have regard — 2026-03-30, Senate: affirmative, ayes 36, noes 27
- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2026-03-31.108.1) "*That the amendments be agreed to.*" Because the bill has already passed in this form in the Senate, this means that [the bill](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7416) will now become law. ### What were the amendments? Blaxland MP [Jason Clare](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/blaxland/jason_clare) (Labor) [explained that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2026-03-31.108.1): > *The amendments that we will now consider that were made in the Senate will allow the [Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC)] to initiate its own advice to ministers. They'll strengthen the ATEC's role in providing advice on research and research training. They'll allow the minister to appoint at least one and up to three commissioners on a part-time basis, in addition to the chief commissioner and the First Nations commissioner. They recognise the public good of higher education to Australia and the importance of academic freedom in the objects of the bill. They require the ATEC to establish a committee to provide advice and recommendations to the minister in relation to the Higher Education Standards Framework and ensure that the committee have appropriate expertise in higher education.* ### What does this bill do? The bill was introduced alongside the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. According to the [bills digest](https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd2526/26bd038), which is a document prepared by the parliamentary library: > *The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 (the Bill) provides for the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to provide stewardship of the higher education system.* > > *The Bill en — 2026-03-31, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 98, noes 36
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 creates the Australian Tertiary Education Commission as the main oversight body for the higher education system.
The commission would be run by three independent commissioners—including a First Nations commissioner—appointed by the education minister for up to five years, and would negotiate performance agreements with universities.
The bill requires the commission to consider improving outcomes for people facing systemic barriers, such as Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those from low-income backgrounds, and regional residents.
- Establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission as a steward of higher education.
- Creates a National Tertiary Education Objective that the commission must follow.
- Requires the commission to negotiate mission-based compacts with higher education providers.
- Embeds equity by requiring the commission to improve outcomes for groups facing systemic barriers.
- Provides for a First Nations commissioner and a First Nations advisory committee.
Higher education providers, higher education students, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and people in regional Australia.
Sources
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