Information Sharing and Allocation Powers for the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC)
Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Secretary and ESOS agencies can give ESOS Act information to the ATEC; this includes sharing data with specified ATEC persons and contractors.
TEQSA and Ombudsman officials can disclose higher education and personal information to ATEC Commissioners.
The Minister must set the total number of Commonwealth supported places for higher education providers by specific annual deadlines.
The Minister can increase the number of supported places; they must consider ATEC advice and whether the increase meets the Act's objects.
The ATEC can allocate specific numbers of Commonwealth supported places to Table A and other specified higher education providers.
The Minister must publish allocations for demand-driven and medical courses on the Department website.
The Minister must order an independent evaluation of the ATEC's performance and the operation of the Universities Accord amendments.