Universities Australia was established on 22 May 2007 as the peak body representing the university sector, being formed from the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC).
Members of Universities Australia are the institutions themselves, rather than Vice-Chancellors. The focus on institutional rather than individual membership is a key element of the new organisation's structure, and our efforts to work with a variety of people within the sector.
The AVCC dates back to May 1920, when Vice-Chancellors at Australia's then six universities met in Sydney and established a committee and secretariat. In 1966, reflecting the influence of the federal bureaucracy and Parliament on decisions concerning higher education, the AVCC secretariat was re-located from Melbourne to Australia's national capital, Canberra.
The decision to establish Universities Australia was made subsequent to the findings of the Review of the AVCC conducted in 2006. Universities Australia is funded by annual contributions from member universities. Plenary meetings are held four times a year to discuss policy matters of topical interest.
For more information regarding policy and advocacy work undertaken by the AVCC, please see our publications archive.
See also
Listing of former Universities Australia and AVCC Chairs / Presidents
