ATEC legislation passing Parliament, SERD, Horizon Europe: Latest rundown of higher education – LinkedIn

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From our Chief Executive Officer,
This week, we secured a major win for the sector. The legislation to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) passed the Parliament – stronger, more independent and better equipped because of sustained advocacy led, on your behalf, by Universities Australia.
From day one, we backed the ATEC as a major opportunity to bring long-term coordination and stability to higher education. But we were equally clear: it needed to be done right. Through careful, coordinated and tireless work across the Parliament – with government, opposition and the crossbench alike – we pushed for meaningful changes.
The result is a better bill – one that strengthens the ATEC’s independence, improves its resourcing and sharpens its focus on research and research training. This did not happen by chance. It reflects the collective effort of the sector, brought together and driven forward through UA’s advocacy.
There is more to come. Further legislation is expected in the coming months to support and operationalise the ATEC’s work, and we will remain closely engaged to ensure it delivers for students, for universities and for the nation. But right now, we turn our attention to working constructively with the Commission as it takes shape, helping to design and implement the long-term reforms needed to support a growing system, drive innovation and lift productivity and living standards.
Parliament has now risen for a five-week break ahead of the federal budget, bringing to a close an exceptionally busy and productive first quarter for the sector. Across just a few months, we have seen real progress on long-standing priorities.
The passage of an improved ATEC. A pathway secured for Australia’s association with Horizon Europe. Strong alignment with UA’s policy positions through the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD). And the establishment of the Better Regulation Working Group to begin tackling the thicket of red tape facing universities.
These are significant outcomes. They reflect, to a degree, alignment between the sector’s priorities and the government’s reform agenda. They also show what we can achieve when we speak with a clear, consistent and united voice.
At the same time, we know universities remain under scrutiny and that public confidence matters. We will continue to engage constructively to ensure the full picture of our sector’s contribution – to students, communities and the national interest – is clearly understood and valued.
There is still much more to do. We will continue to press the case for sustainable funding, including fixing the Job-ready Graduates package. We will continue to advocate for a stronger, more coordinated research and innovation system as the government weighs its response to the SERD. And we will keep pushing to ensure the ATEC is set up for success – with the remit, independence and capability it needs to deliver lasting and meaningful reform.
Finally, as we head into the Easter period and a well-earned pause in the Parliamentary calendar, I want to thank you for your continued engagement over what has been a big start to the year. We couldn’t do it without you.
I wish you, your teams and your families a safe and happy Easter and an enjoyable extra-long weekend.
Luke Sheehy
Chief Executive Officer, Universities Australia

Parliament has now risen for a five-week break, returning 12 May 2026 when the federal budget will be handed down.
This week, the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 passed Parliament with amendments, reflecting changes that UA has advocated for.