The Joint Committee on the Establishment of Adelaide University (the Committee) was formed on 6 July 2023 to inquire into and report on the proposal to amalgamate the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

On 2 July 2023 the South Australian government signed a joint Heads of Agreement (the Agreement) with the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia in relation to the proposed amalgamation of those two universities. The Agreement was announced concurrently with a proposal for the State Government to invest $300 million for the establishment of two perpetual funds (one for research and another to support the enrolment of students from low socioeconomic groups), alongside the provision of other funding to support the proposed merger.

The Committee was established to consider this proposal and its potential long-term impact on South Australia within the Terms of Reference.

On the balance of the evidence received, the Committee considers that the economic and social interests of the State of South Australia would likely be advanced by the amalgamation of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia into the new Adelaide University.