The final report from an inquiry into the adequacy of the powers available to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) to perform its role in identifying and addressing corporate governance issues at Australian higher education providers.

The report finds the tension between universities operating for the public good, and attracting funding from private sources, creates a dichotomy in how they operate, and which parts of their operations they prioritise. Evidence received throughout the inquiry suggests that many universities have yet to find the optimal balance for all members of university communities.

The committee is of the view that universities are indeed public institutions, established for the public good, and their governance arrangements should reflect that.

Key recommendations

• State and territory governments review the establishing acts of universities to ensure the primacy of public research and education in their objects and functions.
• TEQSA update its guidance to universities to support proactive adoption of key compliance, oversight and governance measures.
• TEQSA develop a monitoring and reporting framework for course quality and staffing, and establish an ongoing program of course monitoring.
• The Australian Government introduce an explicit requirement for TEQSA to consider matters relevant to the interests of students and the preservation of Australia's reputation for quality higher education as part of its regulatory function.
• TEQSA develop a statement of expectations that sets out the key considerations which academic governance processes should oversee in their internal quality assurance.