Submission—Australian Tertiary Education Commission

The Academy supports an Australian Tertiary Education Commission in principle, but recommends amendments to it including that it be established as an independent authority, and better governance structures that enable effective collaboration and access to knowledge of the higher education system. 

The Academy proposes the following amendments to support an effective ATEC: 

• Establish ATEC as an independent authority to give it independence from the Department of Education. 
   
• Remove barriers to the ATEC recruiting the higher education system experience it needs to be effective. The appointment criteria for Commissioner roles should be reconsidered to allow experts and leaders from the sector to be appointed. 
   
• Consideration should be given to how the ATEC can best use the expertise of Australia’s Learned Academies and professional bodies to develop advice that informs policy and decision-making.