Australian Tertiary Education Commission
ATEC
29 April 2026 – present
Statutory commission in the Education portfolio that acts as independent steward of Australia's higher education system, advising on planning and funding, allocating Commonwealth-supported places, and working towards closer alignment of higher education and vocational education and training.
How it came into existence
Established on 29 April 2026, when the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026 (No. 25 of 2026) came into effect, implementing the Australian Universities Accord final report's recommendation for a statutory tertiary education commission. It took over the role of the non-statutory Interim Australian Tertiary Education Commission, which had operated within the Department of Education since 1 July 2025; the interim Commissioners continued until statutory Commissioners were appointed.
- Stewardship and planning of the higher education system
- Advice on higher education funding and student places
Legislation: Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026
Main functions
- Stewardship and planning of the higher education system
- Advice on higher education funding
- Allocation of Commonwealth-supported places under the managed growth system
- Closer alignment of higher education and vocational education and training
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Education.
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 30 June 2026 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
- Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026, Federal Register of Legislation
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.