The establishment of the ATEC marks a significant moment for Australia’s tertiary education system and an important opportunity to strengthen long-term stewardship, coordination and policy stability across the sector.
Australia’s universities educate our future workforce, drive research and innovation, and help build the nation’s future industries and capabilities. Strong, independent and well-informed stewardship of the tertiary system matters.
UA has consistently supported the establishment of the ATEC and advocated for a stronger, more independent and better-resourced Commission. This is reflected in today’s announcement.
We look forward to working constructively and in genuine partnership with Chief Commissioner Professor Barney Glover AO and commissioners the Hon Fiona Nash, Mr David Coltman, Dr Stephen Duckett and Professor Tom Calma AO, who remains the interim First Nations Commissioner until 30 June, as the ATEC continues its important work.
We also acknowledge Professor Glover’s contribution as Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia. In this role, he has driven the national conversation around skills, workforce needs and tertiary education reform, which we are better for.
This next phase for the ATEC is critical. Universities need a policy environment that supports participation, delivers sustainable funding, strengthens research and innovation, and reduces unnecessary complexity and duplication across the system.
Replacing the failed Job-ready Graduates Package must be a priority. The current system is hurting students, reducing funding to universities and failing to deliver the outcomes it promised.
If Australia is serious about lifting attainment, building the workforce of the future and improving productivity, we need funding settings that support students and strengthen the institutions educating them.
The ATEC has an important role to play in helping build a more coordinated, future-focused tertiary system – one that delivers for students, universities and the nation. Australia’s universities look forward to helping deliver it.
