Commonwealth Government
An understanding of Commonwealth Government policies and directions for higher education is critical to the University, as the government sets the funding and policy environment in which we operate. Links to major policy statements, budget documents and general information about higher education in Australia can be found below.
Commonwealth Budget
The Commonwealth Budget provides an overview of the Government's funding allocations for the commencing financial year. For 2009/10 this includes a section specifically relating to Universities, Innovation and the Education Revolution. Budget documents are also available for past years with recent years available below.
Education
The Commonwealth Government has responsibility for education, including higher education, through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
New policy initiatives
Transforming Australia’s Higher Education System In May 2009, the Australian Government committed $5.4billion over four years to support higher education and research in response to the Bradley Review of Australian Higher Education . The Government's full response to the review and their new priorities for higher education are outlined in Transforming Australia's Higher Education System.
Quality and Standards A new national body for regulation and quality assurance will be established by the Government. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) will build on and expand the work previously undertaken by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA). TEQSA is anticipated to be established during 2010.
Research
Research and innovation activities are managed at a Commonwealth level by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Sciencve and Research (DIISR).
New policy initiatives
Powering Ideas: an innovation agenda for the 21st century The Australian Government's response to Cutler's review of innovation, venturous australia , sets the environment for research and innovation activities for the next ten years. Powering ideas: an innovation agenda for the 21st century clearly sets out the Government's commitments to growing Australia's capacity in these areas.
Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) In February 2008, the Government announced plans for a new research quality and evaluation system, ERA. ERA will be developed by the Australian Research Council and is currently being trialled. The process will be implemented during 2010.
Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE), Joint Research Engagement (JRE) and Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) The Government has proposed a number of complementary new schemes for managing research funding. The SRE initiative will supplement the current Research Infrastructure Block Grant Scheme in a move to provide full-cost funding for research activities. Access to funding is dependent on participation in the ERA initiative and undertaking a transparency costing exercise. The JRE scheme will replace the current Instituional Grants Scheme and the CRN initiative is being established to encourage smaller and regional universities to partner with others and improve research outcomes.
Commonwealth Government Links
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: Higher Education
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Australian Commonwealth Government
Prime Minister of Australia
Department of Health and Ageing
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Australian Learning and Teaching Council
Australian Research Council
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEEDYA)
National Health and Medical Research Council
National Health and Hospitals Reform Committee
Australia's Future Tax System (the Henry Review)
