Universities Australia acknowledges the introduction of legislation to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC).
If legislated, the ATEC will play a significant role in the future of the higher education in Australia, driving structural reforms across the entire tertiary system to help meet the nation's skills needs.
"The ATEC represents a major change in Australia's higher education landscape," Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.
"A well-designed ATEC has the potential to deliver long-term stability for universities and the students and communities they serve.
"In our view, the ATEC needs to be a genuinely independent body to the existing Department of Education with a clear, evidence-based remit and stable and predictable funding settings.
"The bill introduced today by Minister Clare is a starting point.
"We will now work constructively across the Parliament to ensure the legislation is robust, fit for purpose and ensures long-term policy stability, planning and funding certainty of the sector.
"Universities Australia, on behalf of the sector, looks forward to working with all sides to shape an ATEC that supports a high-quality, globally competitive tertiary education system for decades to come."
