Fit for Purpose? The Higher Education Reform Agenda in Australia's Federated System

Australia’s higher education sector stands at a critical juncture. One shaped by enduring constitutional tensions embedded within our federated system. Historically, universities have operated under a delicate balance between Commonwealth funding and oversight, and state-based legislative and regulatory frameworks. Recent landmark initiative including the Australian Universities Accord, the formation of Jobs and Skills Australia, the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), and changes to student migration policy have amplified these inherent complexities, reshaping the governance and operation of universities nationwide.

The Universities Accord and ATEC, driven by Commonwealth policy, seeks to redefine the core purpose, funding structure, and accountability measures of universities, challenging traditional state roles and increasing the Commonwealth’s influence. Concurrently, tightened student migration restrictions create additional resourcing pressures, compelling universities to reconsider their recruitment strategies, internationalisation approaches, and long-term sustainability.

These developments provoke critical policy questions: How can governance arrangements be clarified to enhance institutional autonomy while ensuring accountability to national priorities? To what extent does constitutional considerations limit or enable sector-wide innovation and reform? And importantly, how can policy coordination between Commonwealth and state governments be strengthened to better support universities?

Join senior education executives, policy leaders, constitutional experts, and leading academics to navigate these questions, and explore practical policy pathways for a resilient, effective, and purpose-driven Australian higher education system.

Keynote Speakers:

Summit Program:

TIME	SESSION	KEYNOTE and MODERATOR
08:00	Registration open
08:00 – 08:30	Tea/Coffee available
08:30 – 08:40	Welcome to Country
08:40 – 08:55	Welcome Address	Professor Amit Chakma Vice-Chancellor of The University of Western Australia
09:00 – 10:00	Keynote 1 + Q&A/Panel	Professor Robert French Former Chief Justice of The High Court of Australia and Chancellor of The University of Western Australia Professor Michael Crommelin University of Melbourne Moderated by Dr. Sarah Murray The University of Western Australia Law School
10:00 – 11:00	Keynote 2 + Q&A/Panel	Professor Glenn Savage University of Melbourne Professor Andrew Norton Monash University Moderated by Professor James Arvanitakis Director of the Forrest Research Foundation
11:00 – 11:25	Morning Break
11:30 – 12:30	Keynote 3 + Q&A/Panel	Libby Hackett CEO of the Australian Public Policy Institute Alex Robson Deputy Chair of the Productivity Commission Moderated by Associate Professor Paul Maginn
12:30 – 13:30	Keynote 4 + Q&A/Panel	Professor Ray da Silva Rosa The University of Western Australia Professor David Hornsby Carleton University Moderated by Fiona McGaughey The University of Western Australia
13:30 – 14:25	Lunch Break
14:30 – 15:30	Keynote 5 + Q&A/Panel	Melina Cilento CEO of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia Professor Shamit Saggar Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Student Equity and Access Moderated by Emily Roper Former Director of the General Western Australia Department of Premier and Cabinet
15:30 – 16:30	Keynote 6 + Q&A/Panel	Vicki Thomson Chief Executive & Director of Group of Eight Australia Luke Sheehy CEO of Universities Australia Moderated by Jane den Hollander Interim Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University and former Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University
16:35 – 16:50	Closing Address	Anna Nowak Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research at The University of Western Australia
17:00 – 18:00	Sundowner Event (networking and refreshments)

Accommodation:

The Ibis Perth and Mercure Hotel Perth have kindly extended exclusive room rates for our guests travelling to Perth. Please find the special booking links below to secure your stay. We're excited to welcome you and look forward to an inspiring and impactful summit together.

Mercure Hotel Perth

Ibis Perth

Contact the host of Higher Education Summit: Fit for Purpose? The Future of Governance, Regulation and Impact of the Australian Higher Education Sector