The Australian Government has launched yet another consultation process in the tertiary education sector, focused on potential amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. It follows a succession of recent reviews, inquiries and consultation papers that have required the sector to invest significant time and resources into detailed submissions, with many still waiting to see whether that feedback has materially influenced policy, or concluding that it has not.
In the current process, potential amendments are being considered by the Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP) at the request of Education Minister Jason Clare, “to address several emerging and high‑priority issues”.
The HESP is seeking feedback on the following, posed through a series of 12 questions:
- Demonstrating a commitment to addressing racism
- Incorporating the University Governance Principles and transparency requirements
- Support for people with disability
- Responding to emerging technology risks
- Approaches to a cyclical review of the Threshold Standards
Professor Helen Bartlett says in her Message from the HESP Chair that the HESP “has determined amendments need to be considered to ensure the Threshold Standards remain fit-for-purpose”.
The HESP is an expert statutory advisory body, established under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), with responsibility related to the standards for delivery of higher education in Australia. Its members are: Professor Helen Bartlett (Chair); Professor Pip Pattison AO; Professor Paul Harpur OAM; Professor Jacqueline Lo; Professor Susan Page; Professor Kelsey Hegarty; Professor Jeannie Rea.
TEQSA Act consultation
The sector is still awaiting the outcome of a consultation process on potential changes to the TEQSA Act. Consultations closed on 17 October 2025 and focused on four areas for potential amendment:
- A regulatory system that puts students first
- A modern regulator with powers to address emerging and systemic challenges
- Opportunities to streamline regulation for universities and other higher education providers, so they can focus on teaching and learning
- A system that supports a joined up tertiary system, helping more Australians get the skills and qualifications they need.
Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC)
While the Senate Committee recommended last week that the ATEC Bill be passed (TKN 020326), key concerns raised during the inquiry process were not substantively explored during the public hearing. As with the TEQSA Act consultation, submissions were made, issues were raised, and recommendations were put forward, and the sector is left waiting to understand whether its input has had any influence.
Taken together, the Threshold Standards review, the unresolved TEQSA Act consultation and the establishment of ATEC represent a significant reshaping of Australia’s higher education regulatory architecture. What is less clear is whether the substantial effort invested by the sector across each consultation is materially influencing the final policy settings.
The consultation paper is available here. A series of webinars will be held from 10-13 March and submissions close on 15 March 2026.
