Chief Executive of Universities Australia Belinda Robinson said many of the measures in the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment Bill 2014 reflected concerns raised by the peak body to the 2013 Review of Higher Education Regulation and during the Senate inquiry into the Bill.

“The legislation is important for enabling TEQSA to regulate the sector with greater efficiency and focus while at the same time curtailing the cost of unnecessary regulation on universities”, Ms Robinson said.

“Minimising unnecessary university regulation will reduce costs for universities and allow them to focus resources on their core activities – delivering the highest quality teaching, learning and research.”

TEQSA is an independent statutory authority that regulates and assures the quality and performance of higher education providers.

“The Bill underscores the important role of TEQSA and provides it with the regulatory platform to assure quality standards are maintained into the future”, Ms Robinson said.

The final legislation was negotiated by the Government through the Senate with the Opposition.

“Universities Australia appreciates the efforts of all parties within Parliament for working collaboratively to reach this outcome.”

Ms Robinson also acknowledged the hard work and strong contribution of TEQSA Chief Commissioner and CEO Dr Carol Nicoll and Commissioner Ian Hawke, both of whom are retiring from TEQSA.