On behalf of Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the Inquiry into the Universities Accord (National Student Ombudsman) Bill 2024 [Provisions].
Teaching and learning is a fundamental part of the mission of Australia’s universities.
Through educating the next generation, universities make a strong contribution to our economic prosperity, social wellbeing and our communities.
Australia’s great university educators not only prepare students for the careers that await — they also spark a deep passion for ideas, knowledge and evidence in those they teach.
International education is an Australian success story.
It enhances the international outlook of Australian universities, delivers strong benefits to the Australian economy—supporting local jobs and wages—and strengthens our soft diplomacy ties with the world.
International students choose Australia because we offer a high-quality university education, in one of the safest places in the world, with a great quality of life.
University research and innovation drives economic growth, national productivity and the wellbeing of all Australians.
University research not only leads to new products and new industries, it also informs public debate, improves our health and wellbeing and helps solve our most complex problems. It adds to our understanding of our history, culture, society and appreciation of the world around us.
Universities work hard to ensure higher education and research are accessible to everyone.
Over the past decade, there have been strong increases in university participation by students from groups that are traditionally under-represented.
At every Australian university, safety and wellbeing is a top priority.
Universities Australia works actively to help support all member universities to enhance efforts at each institution and at the sector level to keep students and staff safe.
Australia’s health system is founded on a quality workforce of skilled, capable health professionals.
The majority of these are educated in Australian universities. Universities Australia supports the sector in developing a strong health workforce as the foundation of our health services in Australia.
As education and research institutions, copyright laws and policy can have a major impact on universities.
As the peak body for the sector, Universities Australia advocates for reasonable copyright law reform, engages with government on copyright matters and monitors wider policy matters related to copyright.
Universities Australia also manages the statutory licence which allows educational institutions such as universities to copy limited content for educational purposes.