Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Strategic Examination of Research and Development Discussion Paper. In addition to responding to the questions posed in the Discussion Paper via the online portal, UA also intends to publish a series of more detailed policy papers for the consideration of the review panel, the parliament and the general public.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Discussion Paper – A New Plan for ARC-Funding Research. Our members, Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, undertake research that adds to Australia’s stock of knowledge, and to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing. They also produce the research workforce which is critical to the future not only of academia but our entire innovation system.

Universities Australia’s submission to the inquiry into the Tertiary Education Legislation Amendment (There For Education, Not Profit) Bill 2025)

Universities Australia provides the following feedback on the guidance outlined in TEQSA’s Interim guidance: Managing external actors

Universities Australia provides the following feedback on TEQSA’s Interim Statement of Regulatory Expectations (the Statement) concerning student grievance and complaint mechanisms.

Read Universities Australia’s full submission to the inquiry into the quality of governance at Australian higher education providers.

The 2025–26 Federal Budget is an opportunity for the Albanese Government to further implement the recommendations of the Australian Universities Accord. Investing in higher education is investing in Australia’s future. Doing so will yield a significant return on investment.

The Senate Education and Employment Committee is holding an inquiry into Free TAFE Bill.

Since the October 7 attack, UA has been working with our members, parliamentarians and student groups to tackle antisemitism on campuses.

UA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on TEQSA’s cost recovery model as outlined in the fees and charges consultation paper. We recognise that cost recovery was a decision by the Government, and we appreciate TEQSA’s efforts to stage the implementation of full cost recovery over the past three years, including the staggered approach to the Registered Higher Education Provider (RHEP) charge.

Universities Australia (UA) recognises that the New Colombo Plan (NCP) has been pivotal in deepening knowledge and networks in the Indo-Pacific. Since the NCP’s establishment, universities have expanded partnerships and developed relationships within the region to support over 50,000 Australian university students to build capability and networks, in support of Australia’s foreign policy priorities.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s Review of the Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024.

Universities Australia (UA) members graduate most of Australia’s domestically grown nursing workforce and support the development of a National Nursing Workforce Strategy.

Universities Australia (UA) members support having shared professional capabilities across health professions regulated by the National Scheme.

Universities Australia (UA) supports reducing complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). The regulatory task is complex as is the environment within which the Scheme operates.

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].

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DISR) consultation on its proposals paper for introducing mandatory guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI) in high-risk settings.

This legislation will reshape Australia’s international education sector in a way that threatens our status as a leading provider of international education and risks our national prosperity and the viability of our universities. Our concerns are laid out in our initial submission to the inquiry, lodged 1 July 2024, and while we do not have any further recommendations pertaining to the legislation for the Committee’s consideration, we would like to request your support in advocating for the immediate removal of Ministerial Direction 107 (MD107).

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the provisions of the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the inquiry into the Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024. This Bill deals with a very important and sensitive subject, and I fully support the Committee in this process.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39comprehensive universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to a new National Skills Taxonomy (NST).

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide our views on the Department of Education’s Managed Growth Funding System (MGFS) and Needs-Based Funding (NBF) implementation consultation papers.

The deep and enduring relationship that Australia shares with India is underpinned by the people-to-people links that have been developed and nurtured through our long-standing education partnerships. Universities Australia represents Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities that have patiently and purposefully bolstered Australia’s relationship with India for decades.

Australia’s university sector is a national asset, making a significant economic, cultural and social contribution to the nation. Australian universities have a long history of collaborating across borders to develop
the knowledge, skills and research that we need to make Australia more connected, prosperous and secure.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the Government’s Future Made in Australia policy and appreciates the opportunity to provide input into the Senate Economics Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the provisions of both the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 and the Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024.

UA welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal for the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), as outlined in the Department of Education’s implementation consultation paper.

The Australian Government is working with state and territory governments to develop a National Allied Health Workforce Strategy.

Australian universities are committed to actively addressing gender-based violence on campus. We will continue to work in collaboration with students, practitioners, and subject matter experts to combat this issue. All Universities Australia (UA) members are signatories to the Charter on Sexual Harm, which was publicly released on 17 November 2023.

This Bill proposes to amend the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) to support the quality and integrity of the international education sector while also giving Ministers powers to control growth in international student enrolments.

Australian universities are increasingly adopting AI tools in research and teaching, and deepening our understanding of the possibilities and risks arising from the uptake of AI technologies. They are also training much of the future workforce in these capabilities and are themselves large workplaces where professional staff are incorporating technology and AI into their daily activities.

Universities Australia (UA) broadly supports the proposed guidance and believes that the guidance lays the foundation for good practice supervision in these areas.

Australia’s international education sector is a prized national asset, growing significantly over the past 20 years to become the country’s second largest export industry.

UA recommends that further efforts be made into gathering Australian Teaching and Training Classification (ATTC) data from public health services. One suggestion is to make health service provision of the ATTC data a requirement of their receiving teaching, training and research block funding.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide input to Jobs and Skills Australia’s development of the Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL).

Universities Australia appreciates the opportunity to continue to engage with the Government on changes to Australia’s Defence Trade Control framework and the draft regulations associated with the Defence Trade Legislation Amendment (the Regulations).

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to further engage with the Scope of Practice review. The review recommends ways to maximise health workforce utilisation by enabling health professionals to work to their full scope of practice – a goal UA endorses.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of a National Autism Strategy. The submission focuses on how universities can contribute to the strategy’s success; and the potential impacts of the strategy on the sector.

UA’s Indigenous Strategy sets commitments for universities to achieve in supporting Indigenous self-determination.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the Inquiry in Civics education, Engagement and Participation in Australia.

UA welcomes the Government’s intent in the Migration Strategy to streamline and simplify the visa system to ensure it provides certain visa pathways for highly skilled migrants.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System (the Incentive System).

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Department of Education’s Policy Review of NCGP.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to submit a response to the Senate Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI)’s inquiry into Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme ensures that registered health professionals have the knowledge, skills and professional attributes to safely and competently practise their profession in Australia.

Universities Australia’s response to the Treasury’s consultation on: International Taxation – global and domestic minimum tax – primary legislation.

Universities Australia (UA) has made a submission to the inquiry into right wing extremist movements in Australia. UA represents Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities. Our members are deeply committed to fostering safe, respectful and inclusive environments across their physical and digital campuses for all students, staff and campus users. Our submission includes a comprehensive summary of what universities are doing to address extremism.

UA supports the ongoing work of TEQSA to address student wellbeing and safety on and off campus, and the measures considered to improve diversity and equity, student grievances and complaints. UA welcomes the ongoing government consultation on the topics in question — diversity and equity, student grievances and complaints, and wellbeing and safety — and other related matters.

Thank you for the further opportunity for Universities Australia (UA) to contribute to the Scope of Practice Review. This independent review is focused on health professionals, especially those in primary care, working to their full scope of practice. Full scope refers to those professional activities that a health practitioner has the skills, knowledge competencies and authority to perform and for which they are accountable. The aim of the review is to ascertain how we can maximise our health workforce by enabling practitioners to work more frequently at full scope.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the government’s National Skills Passport discussion paper.

UA welcomes the opportunity to respond to the draft report and findings as part of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into philanthropy. Representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, UA believes that strengthening the settings for giving in Australia will benefit all corners of society. For universities, growing philanthropy will mean more flexibility and sources of funding, enabling our researchers to continue their groundbreaking research for the benefit, wellbeing and prosperity of the nation.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP)’s review of the effectiveness of the Higher Education Threshold Standards (HESF) and the higher education regulatory framework in relation to student support.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission with respect to proposed amendments to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (the Act) as articulated in the Exposure Draft of the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill) and Explanatory Memorandum.

The 2024-25 federal budget is the Albanese Government’s first opportunity to respond in full to the Australian Universities Accord final report. The government must embrace it with both hands. In a fast-changing strategic and economic environment, Australia needs more of what universities do – more skilled workers, more research and development and stronger regional ties.

UA appreciates the ongoing engagement on the implementation of the ARC Review recommendations. UA considers that the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023 (the Bill) as currently drafted would largely deliver on the recommendations of the Trusting Australia’s Ability: Review of the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (the Review) and we are appreciative of how receptive Minister Clare, his office and his department have been to constructive feedback from the university sector.

Universities Australia, as the peak body for Australia’s 39 universities, appreciates the opportunity to respond to the consultation on the Australian government’s draft Action Plan addressing gender-based violence in higher education, including the introduction of a National Student Ombudsman.

Universi􀆟es Australia (UA) is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universi􀆟es. Our member universi􀆟es are spread across Australia in both regional and metropolitan areas. They educate more than a million students each year, undertake all of the university research in Australia and engage globally to add to the country’s stock of knowledge, as well as Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (DOHAC’s) development of the National Nursing Workforce Strategy. Nurses comprise the largest sector of the health professional workforce in Australia. They are highly skilled practitioners who play major roles in all parts of the health, aged care and disability system. There is currently a significant predicted shortfall of nurses in Australia – and globally – across all service settings and locations.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Home Affairs planning for Australia’s 2024-25 migration program.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission with respect to proposed amendments to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (the Act) as articulated in the Exposure Draft of the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill) and Explanatory Memorandum.

UA appreciates the ongoing engagement on the implementation of the ARC Review recommendations.

General Practitioners (GPs) are a vital part of our health care workforce. They play a major role, both individually and as part of multidisciplinary teams, in providing frontline care to people in our communities. GPs develop ongoing relationships with patients to provide holistic, continuous care across the different life stages that takes into account the broader context in which people live. This type of care is the cornerstone of Australia’s heath system.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 Review (the Review) and also wishes to acknowledge the other critical ongoing work within the Department of Defence such as strengthening Australia’s export control legislation in the context of AUKUS as well as the Defence Amendment (Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets) Bill 2023.

Universities Australia’s response provided through the Department of Health and Aged Care’s online survey.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. We are responding specifically to the Commission’s call for further information and feedback on its draft recommendations relevant to Priority Reform 4 – Shared access to data and information at a regional level.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the following two documents: The Australian Digital Health Capability Framework; and The Quality in Data and Connecting Care Guideline.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on TEQSA’s Assessment reform for the age of artificial intelligence consultation paper.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide a short response to the release of the draft National Science and Research Priorities.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Implementing Suburban University Study Hubs consultation paper.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on TEQSA’s cost recovery model, fees and charges consultation paper.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Support for students policy guidelines (‘the guidelines’) consultation paper.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft recommendations as part of the Pathway to Diversity in STEM review. Representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, UA believes in building a strong STEM pipeline, and that improving equity and inclusion from all under-represented groups to access STEM education and employment will only further strengthen Australia’s future skilled workforce.

As the university sector’s peak body, Universities Australia (UA) appreciates the opportunity to respond to the Accord Interim Report. UA’s April submission laid out 29 reform recommendations, developed and endorsed by UA’s 39 member universities

Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback on the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority’s IHACPA’s) out of session Teaching Training and Research (TTR) Working Group (WG) papers.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to submit a response to the House Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training’s inquiry into the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the Australia education system.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the Department of Health and Aged Care and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) consultation on improving the alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the NHMRC’s Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA).

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Interim Report of the Independent Review of Overseas Health Practitioner Regulatory Settings.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft APC Accreditation standards for Aged Care/MMR training programs.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) Foundation Skills Study Discussion Paper to determine the intent and desired outputs of the foundation skills study, including scope, coverage, use of the results, and the most appropriate options for achieving this within the timeframe and resources available.

Thank you for this opportunity to provide feedback on the Jobs and Skills Australia Amendment Bill 2023 (the Bill). As the peak body for the universities sector, Universities Australia (UA) advocates for the significant social, economic and cultural value of higher education and research.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Education and Employment Committee on the Education Legislation Amendment (Startup Year and Other Measures) Bill 2023 (the Bill).

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s (DOHAC’s) Consultation draft – Increasing access to health and aged care: a strategic plan for the nurse practitioner workforce.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) Discussion Paper.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee on the provisions of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Bill 2022.

As the peak body for Australia’s 39 universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ consultation on the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and urges the government to include representation from the higher education sector on the NRF Reference Group.

Australia is at a critical juncture. Skill shortages, economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and a new industrial revolution are changing the domestic and global landscapes in which we operate.
In forging a path forward, we must harness the institutions that have helped turn Australia into the safe, successful and prosperous nation we are today. Universities, working with government and industry, are chief among them and must continue to lead the way, as they have always done.

Universities Australia response to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care’s open consultation on the draft Intellectual Disability Health Capabilities – online survey

Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities. We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the review of Australia’s migration system.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the panel on priorities for the Australian Universities Accord.

Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities. We welcome the opportunity to respond to the Trade Sub Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade’s Inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors. This submission will be responding to the Terms of Reference concerning international education.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Independent Review of the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Universities Australia is the national peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities. Australian universities made a major contribution to the pandemic, particularly in the areas of research, epidemiology/public health and health professions (education and/or workforce). These aspects of universities’ activities continue to be relevant to the matter of long COVID and are reflected in our response to the inquiry’s terms of reference1 three and five.

Australia is facing a critical skills shortage which, left unaddressed, threatens to hold our nation back –
economically, technologically and socially.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Education (Education) and Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ (DISR) Startup Year consultation. We appreciate the engagement with departmental officials on this matter and look forward to working together.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Productivity Commission (PC) interim report series.

As the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Defence Strategic Review 2022 (the review). In this submission, we lay out the role that Australia’s universities currently play, and the various roles they could play in the future of the nation’s defence capability.

Universities made a major contribution to the pandemic.

We are pleased that many of Universities Australia’s initial comments have been incorporated into the second version of the guidelines.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) regarding the Guidance Note: Research requirements for Australian universities.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Education’s consultation on the proposed Draft National Statement Commitment for the Transforming Education Summit.

Please find Universities Australia’s comments on the draft guidelines below.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment consultation on proposed reforms to the Research Block Grant (RBG) funding framework.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Higher Education Standards Panel (HESP) consultation paper on research translation and the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards).

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Research Council (ARC) consultation paper on the ERA 2023 benchmarking and rating scale.

Universities Australia welcomes this opportunity to review the ESOS Framework, explore areas of the Act and its legislative instruments that are no longer fit-for-purpose and explicate some of the issues facing students and providers in the Act’s implementation.

With the support of Government, the nation’s universities can partner with business and community to make Australia a more productive and prosperous place, and a better place to live.

Our submission contains commentary on a number of specific issues relating to the provision of OSHC along with a summary of member feedback to the consultation questions.

Universities Australia is pleased to respond to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s ‘International Student Diversity at Australian Universities’ Discussion Paper (‘the Discussion Paper’). UA is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities and has long advocated for policy settings that
extend the transformative opportunity of an Australian university education to as many of our global neighbours as possible.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee regarding the Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the consultation released by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (the Department) regarding the Higher Education Research Commercialisation Intellectual Property Framework (the Framework) draft agreements.

Universities Australia is pleased to respond to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s ‘International Student Diversity at Australian Universities’ Discussion Paper (‘the Discussion Paper’). UA is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities and has long advocated for policy settings that extend the transformative opportunity of an Australian university education to as many of our global neighbours as possible.

Universities Australia Submission to Copyright Amendment (Access Reform) Bill 2021

Submission on Review of Technological Protection Measures Exceptions

View Universities Australia’s submission to Treasury on behalf of Australia’s comprehensive universities.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Home Affairs on the Exposure Draft Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022 (the SLACIP Bill).

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the National Research Infrastructure Roadmap 2021 exposure draft.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Triennial Review of the Code of Conduct for Copyright Collecting Societies.

As the peak body representing Australia’s university sector, Universities Australia notes that Australia’s universities operate in a global labour market, characterised by a two-way flow of academic talent.

On 10 November, UA made a short submission made by UA to TEQSA’s consultation on its draft compliance guides on scholarship, work-integrated learning and admissions (coursework). These guides are updated and simplified versions of publications previously known as TEQSA Guidance Notes. Although UA supports streamlining and simplification of these publications, we have expressed concern that the proposed title of ‘compliance guides’ may not accurately reflect the purpose and status of the documents, and have accordingly suggested some minor revisions.

Universities Australia understands and strongly supports the Government’s drive to lift economic prosperity and strengthen society through research commercialisation. We also understand that the Government wishes to expedite the introduction of the framework.

The combination of speed, lack of broad consultation during development and mandated legal agreements that have not yet been widely reviewed by the sector is, however, problematic.

Higher education continues to unlock employment and economic advancement. This is especially so for Indigenous university graduates, who typically outperform their non-Indigenous peers in graduate labour market outcomes – meaning there is no employment gap for university graduates.

The ISEP design process is an opportunity to acknowledge and support the role a university education plays in positive employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

There is a critical link between university-based health professions education and future health workforce formation. Through this link, universities make a significant contribution to Australia’s health professional workforce. This workforce provides care across health, aged care and disability services.

This submission is comprised of two parts. Part 1 is our overarching submission addressing the range of issues pertinent to the university sector. Part 2 responds to the recommendations relevant to the university sector made in the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Interim Report for this inquiry.

As the institutions responsible for training most of the teachers in Australia, Universities Australia’s members are key stakeholders in all work to assure and improve the quality and effectiveness of ITE. Accordingly, Universities Australia looks forward to working with Government on the review. An effective review will benefit ITE students and
providers and – most importantly – school students across the nation.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the annual review of the Copyright Collecting Societies Code of Conduct.

There is a critical link between university-based health professions education and future health workforce formation. Through this link, universities make a significant contribution to Australia’s health workforce. All of Universities Australia’s member universities deliver multiple health professions education courses through which they educate and train virtually all new entry health professionals in Australia.

The majority of Australia’s health professionals are educated in Australian universities and all Universities Australia member universities provide health professions education courses.

As the peak body for universities, Universities Australia (UA) maintains an ongoing interest in education for the health professions and the various elements it comprises. This includes the important component of professional accreditation. All universities deliver multiple health professional courses. However, not all universities have a medical school. Our comments are therefore directed to those areas pertinent to the sector overall.

Universities Australia (UA) supports, in principle, the four aims that are outlined in the February 2021 consultation paper entitled Indigenous Knowledge.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Council for International Education’s consultation process for the development of the new Australian Strategy for International Education 2020-30. Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities.

Universities Australia appreciates the opportunity to provide comments on the draft legislative instrument, proposed to be made under an amended Tertiary Education Quality and Standard Agency (TEQSA) Act 2011.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the draft National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (the Plan), 2021.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the University Research Commercialisation consultation.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee on the Data Availability and Transparency Bill 2020 and Data Availability and Transparency (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2020.

In a year like no other, Australia’s universities have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession. Universities Australia has been counting the costs and identifying support measures that will help ensure Australians of all ages continue to benefit from a world-class higher education.

Australian universities are a key national resource. Unlike physical resources, they provide limitless potential through the generation of ideas that enable society and the economy to continuously improve. Universities also provide our graduates with the education and skills to navigate not just the challenges of the present but the unknowns of the future.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Systems of National Significance consultation.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority’s (IHPA) Consultation Paper on the Pricing Framework for Australian Public Hospital Services 2021–22.

Universities Australia strongly advocates that the Australian Government consider a coordinated approach to identifying and managing the risk of foreign interference in Australian universities. We are concerned the Bill is not proportionate to risk and would impose an onerous administrative impost on universities and on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Committee’s inquiry into the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission in advance of the Government’s 2020-21 Budget to be delivered in October. UA is the peak body for the university sector, representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities. Universities Australia’s members educate more than 1.4 million students and conduct research and development on behalf of the nation. Now, more than ever, Australia’s universities are central to our wellbeing and prosperity, as they help guide our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes this opportunity to make a submission to the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs’ inquiry into family, domestic and sexual violence.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 (the Bill).

Universities Australia made a submission to the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19’s inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 and related matters.

Universities Australia has responded to the Higher Education Standards Panel’s discussion paper on amending the Provider Category Standards.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the inquiry into the Treasury Laws Amendment (Research and Development Tax Incentive) Bill 2019 (the Bill). Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research for the national benefit.

Universities Australia (UA) is pleased to make a submission to the House Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs inquiry into opportunities for employment and economic development for Indigenous Australians.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit inquiry into matters contained and associated with the Auditor-General’s report No. 5 (2019-20)

VET has been subject to significant pressures following many years of funding cuts of State and Federal Governments and unsuccessful policy experiments.

Universities Australia supports the Government’s aim to realise the full potential of public sector data to the benefit of all Australians.

Universities are both affected by cyber security and are active participants in managing the national response to cyber security readiness.

Australian science is recognised for its excellence both internationally and domestically, whether measured by the number of Nobel prizes per capita or by the impact of our scientific publications.

UA is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities. We have a keen interest in how senior secondary schooling presents information to students about their options for future education, training and work.

Universities play a major role in the formation of Australia’s entry-level health professional workforce and are well positioned to work in partnership with aged services to contribute to relevant workforce development.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into the review of the “Inherent Requirements for Studying Medicine in Australia and New Zealand” document (the document). The review is being undertaken by the Medical Deans of Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) who developed the document in 2017. The aim of the document is to support medical schools to offer the greatest access for students with a disability while ensuring safe clinical education and training. To assist in this, the document provides a set of guidelines which medical schools may choose to incorporate into their local practices. The guidelines are not mandatory.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) project: ‘Enhancing research outcomes from Australia’s regional, rural and remote (RRR) universities’.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Select
Committee’s inquiry into jobs for the future in regional areas.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Committee on the Emergency Response Fund Bill 2019 and the Emergency Response Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019. Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities in the national interest. A number of our members have also made submissions and we commend these to you for consideration.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the current risk assessment framework (RAF) used by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to inform its regulatory activities.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in this next phase of the review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make submission to the Royal Commission into Aged-care Quality and Safety. UA is the peak national body representing Australia’s thirty-nine comprehensive universities. UA has a keen interest in aged-care workforce policy and the way in which universities can support healthy, positive ageing. UA previously made submissions to the Aged-care Workforce Strategy Taskforce. UA is also represented on the current Aged Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC) and its Tertiary Education and Pathways Sub-Committee.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into the adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia.

Universities Australia (UA) is the national peak body representing Australia’s thirty-nine comprehensive universities.

The university sector is committed to educating our future health workforce as a fundamental component of Australia’s health system. Universities offer multiple health courses and educate the majority of health professionals in Australia. Of this workforce, more than 200,000 – or over a quarter – are allied health professionals (AHPs)i. Allied health professionals play a major role in the prevention, treatment and management of ill-health across multiple sectors, both as individual, autonomous clinicians and as part of multidisciplinary health teams.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the draft Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment (Prohibiting Academic Cheating Services) Bill 2019.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Review of Australia’s science and research priorities, as they apply to the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). We are mindful of the targeted nature of the review, with its focus on the implementation of the priorities and associated Practical Research Challenges.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy Group (Strategy Group)1, convened by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the National Health Leadership Forum (NHLF) are consulting on a proposed definition of “cultural safety”. The intent is to develop an agreed, national baseline definition that can be used as a foundation for embedding cultural safety across all functions in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) and for use by the NHLF.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the COAG Health Council’s recent consultation paper: Australia’s Health Workforce: strengthening the education foundation.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in response to the discussion paper on the Review of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

UA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Review of Provider Category Standards (PCS).

Universities Australia welcomes the Higher Education Standards Panel’s (HESP’s) advice on enhancing academic integrity and combatting contract cheating, as well as the Government’s response to this advice.

Australian universities provide high-quality, accessible education to 1.4 million students each year, lead Australia’s research efforts and are a major contributor to the social and economic wellbeing of our country.

As the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia acknowledges the need for more clarity and certainty regarding the allocation of Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for enabling, sub-bachelor and postgraduate places. The higher education sector will operate in a more efficient and more effective way if allocations of places are aligned with demand.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Regional Education Expert Advisory Group’s National Regional, Rural and Remote Education Strategy Framing Paper.

As the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on Australia’s 2019-20 Migration Program to the Department of Home Affairs. Australia’s universities employ highly skilled staff from around the world and are the educators of our future workforce. Universities Australia is invested in our migration program to enable our universities to produce work-ready graduates and world-leading research.

In a time of rapid global change, many nations are looking to invest in sectors that will build social and economic opportunity for their citizens – recognising that opportunity and advancement are key to social cohesion and progress.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the current expert review of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. UA recognises the importance of a robust, reputable VET system for Australia’s future. VET offers training and practical skills that equip Australian’s for immediate entry into the workforce. Higher education offers students the academic, analytical and technical skills required for long-term professional and academic careers. Both are critical to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Council for International
Education’s consultation paper on Growing International Education in Regional Australia.
This submission represents a broad sectoral view of the issues.

Universities Australia (UA) supports the proposal for a common framework of key principles, criteria and learning outcomes for safe and effective use of medicines by entry-level practitioners in regulated health professions.

Framework for accreditation requirements for the safe and effective use of medicines: Response to consultation questions

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s enquiry into the Higher Education Support (Charges) Bill 2018 and Higher Education Support Amendment (Cost Recovery) Bill 2018.

Universities Australia (UA) is pleased to make a submission to the post-implementation review of the Indigenous Student Success Program (ISSP). UA welcomes the Government’s review of the implementation of the ISSP, and the opportunity it provides both to identify problems or barriers, as well as to make further improvements to the design and effectiveness of the program.

Universities Australia supports further health services and translation research that, whilst building on some of the work already undertaken in the 2016 – 2018 priority areas, would be a research area in its own right. This is detailed further in UA’s response to questions eight and nine below.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (APS). The review is examining how the APS can assist government to manage and respond to future challenges in increasingly complex and digitally enabled global economies. A key goal is a fit-for-purpose APS to drive innovative, efficient policy development and implementation through collaborative, whole-of government approaches.

Universities Australia is pleased to provide this response to the Copyright Modernisation Review consultation paper.

Universities Australia appreciates the opportunity to comment on the exposure draft of the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Regulations 2018 (the Draft Regulations).

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a supplementary submission to the Review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge.
Universities Australia wishes to express serious concerns regarding matters raised in the submissions from the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Austrade.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (APS). The review is examining how the APS can assist government to manage and respond to future challenges in increasingly complex and digitally enabled global economies. A key goal is a fit-for-purpose APS to drive innovative, efficient policy development and implementation through collaborative, whole-of government approaches.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a supplementary submission to the Review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training’s inquiry into research funding. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge.

Inquiry into the effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visa system in targeting genuine skills shortages

Thank you for the opportunity to provide input into the review.

Universities Australia (UA) is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities in the national interest.

Thank you for the opportunity for Universities Australia (UA) to provide input into the Australian Health and Hospital Association’s (AHHA) consultation on the Allied Health Rural Generalist (AHRG) Education Program Accreditation System.

Universities Australia is pleased to provide this submission to the Department of Education and Training on the implementation of the Government’s Regional Study Hubs Initiative.

Thank you for the opportunity for Universities Australia (UA) to make submission to the Aged-Care Workforce Strategy Taskforce (ACWST). UA’s interest in aged-care is particularly in the education and training of health professionals – doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and allied health professionals – who work with older Australians.

Universities Australia is pleased to have this opportunity to comment on the draft report of the Review of Code of Conduct for Australian Copyright Collecting Societies (Draft Report).

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge that has been valued at more than $160 billion.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security inquiry into the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge, and has been valued at more than $160 billion.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security inquiry into the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Bill 2017.

Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017 and the Migration (Skilling Australian Fund) Charges Bill 2017

Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017 and the Migration (Skilling Australiangs Fund) Charges Bill 2017

High quality tertiary education and training is more important to Australia than ever before. The industries and jobs of the future will depend increasingly on innovation and skills. Improving productivity will be vital to maintain our prosperity and standard of living. A greater share of our population will need to be equipped with the adaptable, transferrable skills that are shaped by high quality post-school learning.

Budgets tell a story about priorities. When Governments announce increases or cuts in revenue and spending, they send a signal to voters and the nation about what matters most to them.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide further feedback on the Draft Engagement and Impact 2018 Submission Guidelines.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the Department of Employment’s review of the methodology for the 2017 review of the Skilled Migration Occupation List.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s (ANMAC’s) discussion paper regarding the review of Registered Nurse Accreditation Standards.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Consultation Paper on demand-driven sub-Bachelor places released by the Department of Education and Training (DET).

Senator Hume: The data I have in front of me says that between 2011 and 2013 the EIF revenue constituted only 14 per cent of university infrastructure expenditure and between 2012 and 14 it constituted 10 per cent. So if you have updated data on what proportion of university infrastructure expenditure the EIF actually maintains after that that would be terrific.

Universities Australia agrees with the Productivity Commission that there is a need to strengthen the governance and transparency arrangements that apply to declared collecting societies.

The UA submission broadly supports many of the recommendations posed in the draft report including options for reducing duplication in accreditation processes across health professions as well as between TEQSA, ASQA and NRAS; greater consistency and transparency around accreditation fees; and opportunity for better linking evidence and future workforce priorities with pedagogic innovation.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority’s (IHPA’s) consultation paper on the Development of the Australian Teaching and Training Classification (ATTC). Universities Australia understands that the ATTC is foundational to the development of activity based funding for teaching and training activities in public hospitals, a process which is intended to bring greater efficiency, transparency, equity and accountability to Australian public hospital teaching and training funding.

Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities in the national interest. We welcome the opportunity to provide input to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s process of simplifying Australia’s visa system. This submission complements those made by individual universities and university groups, which reflect their own particular circumstances and shared perspectives.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Committee on the Medicare Levy Amendment (National Disability Insurance Scheme Funding) Bill 2017 and 10 related Bills. Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities in the national interest. A number of our members have also made submissions and we commend these to you for consideration.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education discussion paper.

UA’s submission represents a whole-of-sector view on the issues raised in the paper. Individual UA member universities and other groupings may make their own more detailed and we commend these to you.

Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee
Enquiry into the Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017
Hearing at Wodonga, Vic., Tuesday, 25 July 2017

Universities Australia (UA) is pleased to make this supplementary submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the Higher Education Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017.

Universities Australia is the peak national body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities in the national interest.
The Government has brought forward the Higher Educational Support Legislation Amendment (A More Sustainable, Responsive and Transparent Higher Education System) Bill 2017 to make policy changes— including changes to funding—in the higher education sector.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission in response to the draft Program Guidelines on the Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships program.

Universities Australia thanks Innovation and Science Australia for the opportunity to provide input into their 2030 Strategic Plan.

I write on behalf of Universities Australia’s (UA), the national peak body for Australian universities, regarding IHPA’s draft work program 2017-18. Universities have a keen interest in IHPA’s work given the role universities play in training our future health professional workforce and the compulsory requirement for all entry level health professionals to undertake clinical training, the majority of which occurs in public hospitals.

In December 2017, the Australian Government announced measures in Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook to freeze per-student funding to universities at 2017 levels. This would reduce funding to Australian universities by $2.1 billion over the forward estimates.

University funding is complex. As a result, the sector’s true financial position is not always well understood in public discussion.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make submission to the Independent Review of Accreditation Systems within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for Health Professionals (“the Review”). UA understands that the Review and its associated discussion paper focuses on three main areas: improving efficiency; relevance and responsiveness and; future health workforce development. UA has responded to the discussion questions posed under each of these areas where applicable to universities and also provided further information where relevant.

Universities Australia (UA) thanks TEQSA for the opportunity to provide comment on its proposed changes to the publication of TEQSA’s decisions.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the development of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Foreign Policy White Paper.

Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities in the national interest. We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the Department of Home Affairs’ discussion paper “Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake” issued as a part of the department’s annual consultation on Australia’s migration program.

Thank you for the invitation to respond to the Department of Health’s Medical Workforce Assessment and associated Discussion Paper. We understand the assessment has a particular
focus on where and how medical school/entry level training1 occurs and the link between this and future medical workforce distribution, especially to regional, rural and remote areas.

Inquiry into the Copyright Amendment (service Providers) Bill 2017

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017
Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017. Universities Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities, which educate more than a million students and undertake research to add to the stock of advanced knowledge that has been valued at more than $160 billion.

A profound shift is underway across the Australian economy.

Government investment in first class research infrastructure is vital to the long-term sustainability of Australia’s research program, driving innovation, economic productivity and social benefits for the nation. National research facilities are built and maintained for the public good. As such there is a fundamental role for government in investing in this critical infrastructure.

Dear Ms Radcliffe

I am writing following Senator Stirling Griff’s request that Universities Australia (UA) provide a submission to the Committee’s inquiry into the medical complaints process in Australia. UA would like to take this opportunity to respond to some of the issues that have been raised in other submissions and the public hearing.

Universities Australia (UA) thanks the Productivity Commission for the opportunity to provide feedback to the Draft Report on Data Availability and Use. As UA noted in our submission to the issues paper, universities play an essential role in driving Australia’s open data agenda through their research programs, as producers and users of vast amounts of data in their own right, and as educators of Australia’s data analysts and data scientists.

Universities Australia (UA) is pleased to make this submission to the review of the impact of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (‘TEQSA Act’) on the higher education sector (‘the Review’).

We write on behalf of Universities Australia’s (UA) – the national peak body for Australian universities. Universities play a key role in educating and training our future health professionals. Such education currently comprises sixteen per cent of all university student enrolments . UA undertakes a health policy and advocacy role to support the sector in this work and is advised in this activity by two main groups: the Health Professionals’ Education Standing Group (HPESG) which provides discipline-specific health professional education advice; and a jurisdictional Health Education Workforce Group (HEWG) which injects state and territory views into clinical training and related matters.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Productivity Commission’s draft report on the education evidence base. Universities are at the forefront of Australia’s effort to build an education evidence base and affirm Australia’s position as a highly innovative and educated nation.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the proposed changes to the 2017 Annual Information Statement (AIS).

Universities Australia does not oppose the moderate reduction in the minimum repayment income for HELP debts, with lower repayment rates below existing threshold (Schedule 1), aimed at assuring the viability and sustainably of HELP scheme.

The Higher Education Partnerships and Participation Program (HEPPP) is an effective initiative. It has helped drive an historic increase in university participation by people from low SES backgrounds and other under-represented groups.

The case for a review of the health and medical research funding scheme is well-articulated in the issues paper.

The Government’s options paper provides broad and comprehensive coverage of the key higher education policy challenges associated with maintaining an accessible, high quality mass higher education system, against a backdrop of budget restraint.

Universities play an essential role in driving Australia’s open data agenda through their research programs, as producers and users of vast amounts of data in their own right, and as educators of Australia’s data analysts and data scientists.

Governments, universities and businesses have identified Australia’s low levels of collaboration between industry and university researchers as a major barrier to Australia’s successful transition to an innovation nation. The national assessment for university research engagement and impact is an important initiative for encouraging universities to better engage with business and other end-users including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the not-for-profit sector, governments and community organisations.

Universities Australia (UA) welcomes the opportunity to make submission to the Independent Review of Accreditation Systems within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) for Health Professionals (“the Review”). UA understands that the Review and its associated discussion paper focuses on three main areas: improving efficiency; relevance and responsiveness and; future health workforce development. UA has responded to the discussion questions posed under each of these areas where applicable to universities and also provided further information where relevant.

Universities Australia – the national peak body for Australian universities – convened HPESG as a policy forum through which to progress cross portfolio health and higher education matters, chief amongst which is clinical education and training. The group comprises senior leaders across all health professional disciplines. Further information about HPESG is attached.

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is a significant and welcomed new investment in health and medical research that will deliver invaluable health benefits to the Australian population and enhance the commercial opportunities arising from Australia’s research.

In line with the stated aims of Government to promote the transition to an innovative knowledge based economy as outlined in the recent National Innovation and Science Agenda, universities rely heavily on the latest technology for teaching, learning and research.

Universities Australia supports the objective of the Minister and the Higher Education Standards Panel (the Panel) to improve transparency without increasing red tape for universities, and appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the process for doing so. We note that improving information for students and parents on higher education options has bi-partisan political support.

Our universities recognise that domestic violence and gender inequality is a significant social issue and that all parts of the community need to take action to reduce and eliminate violence against women and gender inequality. Over many years—both individually and collectively—Australia’s universities have implemented numerous policies, programs and processes to ensure the safety of the university community.

Australia is experiencing a period of profound economic and social change occurring at a rate not seen since the industrial revolution. The new knowledge economy requires unprecedented economic and labour market agility. It is estimated that 40 per cent of existing jobs are likely to disappear in the next 10–15 years.1 The challenge is to ensure that these are replaced with jobs that emerge from reconfigured and new industries, as well as through the creation of new and innovative ideas.

Universities play an essential role in driving Australia’s international competitiveness and productive capability. Effective investment in the university sector is critical to building and maintaining goodwill, trade and investment. Australian universities are also the major providers of education services to international students, an $18 billion export industry. Universities provide skilled graduates, underpin our research and innovation efforts, and are the cornerstone in delivering education services internationally.

Australian universities are critical to our national economic infrastructure. They deliver excellence in teaching, scholarship, research and innovation; support regional economies and communities; transform lives through educational opportunity and research; and have been at the forefront of Australia’s ‘soft diplomacy’ agenda through the delivery of international education and research collaboration.

Australia is experiencing significant economic and social change. We are entering a new era in which skills, knowledge and ideas will become our most precious commodities. Successfully navigating these changes will require Australian businesses and research organisations to work in partnership to create the new products, processes and industries needed to secure Australia’s future economic prosperity.

Universities Australia made a submission in response to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) discussion paper on Copyright and the Digital Economy in August 2013.