Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Wednesday 26 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Education introduced legislation to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, a key recommendation of the Universities Accord. The bill aims to create an independent body to oversee higher education reform, improve coordination between vocational and university sectors, and address equity barriers. The Minister outlined extensive prior reforms, including student debt reductions and increased funding for disadvantaged students, positioning the new commission as essential for long-term system stability. The debate concluded with the motion for second reading being moved.

   Outcome: The Minister moved that the bill be read a second time, and the debate was adjourned.

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2. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to steward the tertiary education sector. Government members argued the commission was essential for integrating vocational and higher education, while Opposition members criticised it for adding unnecessary bureaucracy and ignoring the independent sector. Independent members supported the commission in principle but raised concerns about student debt and the need for greater independence from ministerial direction. The sole speaker in the final segment supported the bill for addressing skills shortages and improving system coordination before the discussion was adjourned.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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3. Thursday 5 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Kate Chaney spoke on the bill, supporting the principle of an Australian Tertiary Education Commission but opposing the legislation as drafted. She argued the bill failed to grant the commission necessary independence, authority, or capability, risking it becoming a rebranded departmental branch. Chaney outlined specific amendments to increase commissioner numbers, ensure operational autonomy, and expand the commission's remit to include research and student costs. She stated she would likely oppose the bill if these essential changes were not accepted.

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4. Monday 9 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate focused on the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to steward higher and vocational education and implement the Universities Accord. Government members supported the bill as essential for long-term planning, equity, and coordinating sector pathways, while opposition and independent members raised concerns regarding bureaucracy, independence, and regional representation. The Greens abstained due to perceived flaws, and the Coalition expressed reservations about regulatory overlap and governance structures. The Minister for Education acknowledged crossbench amendments but stated the government would consider them after receiving a Senate committee report.

   Outcome: The bills were passed after divisions, with the first division resulting in 41 votes against and 95 for, and the second division resulting in 95 votes for and 39 against.

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5. Monday 9 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate centred on amendments to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission with greater independence and a broader mandate. Kate Chaney moved amendments to increase commissioner numbers, ensure staffing certainty, and allow the commission to initiate its own research, which were not supported by the government pending a Senate inquiry. Julian Leeser proposed an opposition amendment to redefine the national tertiary education objective to focus on teaching, research, and values rather than social development, which the minister rejected. Monique Ryan moved an amendment to include student contributions in the commission's cost assessments, which was also deferred for Senate consideration. All amendments were negatived.

   Outcome: All amendments moved by Kate Chaney, Julian Leeser, and Monique Ryan were negatived, and the debate was adjourned.

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6. Tuesday 10 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail
   See who spoke

7. Tuesday 10 February 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
   See who spoke

8. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Senate

   First Reading
   See who spoke

9. Tuesday 3 March 2026 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The debate focused on the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission to implement reforms from the Australian Universities Accord. Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm argued that the commission would address barriers to higher education for disadvantaged students and coordinate vocational and university sectors. He detailed accompanying measures including student debt reductions, increased university places, and new funding models. The debate concluded with the motion for second reading being moved, though no vote was recorded in the transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned after the second reading speech was delivered.

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10. Monday 30 March 2026 · Senate

    In Committee

    The Senate debated amendments to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, focusing on its independence, research expertise, and the inclusion of student contributions in its remit. The Greens moved several amendments, some of which were accepted by the government, while others regarding ministerial veto powers and student cost analysis were rejected. The Opposition argued the bill lacked sufficient focus on teaching quality and institutional efficiency. The debate concluded with the passage of the bills after a series of divisions on specific amendments.

    Outcome: The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 was agreed to as amended and reported with amendments, while the consequential provisions bill was agreed to and reported without amendment; both bills were read a third time.

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11. Monday 30 March 2026 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated legislation to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) as an independent steward for the higher education sector. Government senators argued the bill was essential for long-term planning, equity, and integrating vocational and higher education, citing broad stakeholder support. Opposition and independent senators criticised the bill for lacking specific references to teaching and research, increasing bureaucracy, and failing to address the Job-Ready Graduates scheme. Two second-reading amendments were moved by the Greens and an independent senator, both of which were defeated.

    Outcome: The bills were passed by a vote of 37 to 26.

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12. Tuesday 31 March 2026 · House of Representatives

    Consideration of Senate Message

    The House of Representatives considered amendments made by the Senate to the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025. The Minister for Education moved that the amendments be agreed to, highlighting improvements to the proposed commission's advisory powers and composition. The amendments were supported for strengthening the role of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission in research and higher education standards. The bill passed the House following a division.

    Outcome: The amendments were agreed to and the bill passed the House with a vote of 98 to 36.

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