Through our Government Relations and External Engagement team within the Vice-Chancellor's office, we liaise with federal, state and local government on issues critical to the higher education sector.
Our engagement with government takes many forms, including providing submissions in response to the complex challenges facing our sector, the local community and, more broadly, New South Wales and Australia.
Our submissions are shaped by our deep expertise and bring together our experts across the university, covering topics such as technology, health, the economy, creative industries and Indigenous affairs. We also collaborate with our partner organisations within the higher education sector on policy issues of common concern.
View our submissions below.
2025
Antisemitism in NSW – April
The NSW Legislative Council's Portfolio Committee No. 5 – Justice and Communities has commenced an inquiry into antisemitism in New South Wales. The committee will consider the causes underlying increasing incidents of antisemitism across the state, and the threat that these incidents present to social cohesion.
UTS took the opportunity to respond to one of the Terms of Reference (b) which looked at levels of antisemitism on university campuses:
- We reiterated our zero tolerance of antisemitism, racism or discrimination of any kind
- Our efforts to prevent and address racism when it does arise
- Our additional measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community, and
- Progress of a uniform definition of antisemitism by our national peak body, Universities Australia, to consider the positioning of this within the Higher Education Standards Framework alongside our commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression.
Strategic examination of Australia’s R&D system – April
The Australian Government has initiated a strategic review of the country's research and development (R&D) system. A discussion paper was released in February 2025 to consider opportunities to maximise the value of existing R&D investments, strengthen links between research and industry and boost industry adoption of innovation.
UTS’s response took the opportunity to critique assumptions about Australia’s R&D system, seeking to articulate the diversity of conditions required to create the ideal future state, including the readiness of other sectors of the economy to invest in and adopt R&D. We emphasised the need for a dynamic, self-sustaining R&D ecosystem that translates knowledge into impact through collaboration between universities, industry, and government.
UTS recommends the Independent Expert Panel reimagine the national architecture of R&D in Australia to bridge the translation gap through smart policy, targeted funding and better alignment between research strengths, industrial capability and appropriate infrastructure and programs of support.
Inquiry into the quality of governance at Australian higher education providers – March
On 29 January 2025, the Senate Education and Employment Committee released details of its inquiry into the quality of governance at Australian higher education providers. The inquiry is primarily focused on the powers available to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.
UTS made a submission co-signed by the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. We acknowledged there have been areas where the sector, including UTS, may not have met public expectations, but noted that wherever possible we have aimed to proactively address these issues and take preventative action. We also took the opportunity to outline our governance arrangements (including the role of UTS Council and Academic Board) and financial position, and provided an update on some of the issues raised in the Terms of Reference.
2024
Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities
November
As part of our ongoing efforts to foster respect in our community, UTS provided a submission to the inquiry by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights (PJCHR) regarding antisemitism at Australian universities.
Our submission supplemented evidence given by the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education & Students) at a public hearing on 29 November, and added to UTS's submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs' inquiry into a Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 in August 2024.
In our submission, we provided additional information and updates about:
- Our work to combat racism
- Actions post 7 October 2023
- Our comprehensive policy framework
- Definition of antisemitism
- How our complaints process work
- Support services
- Measuring the effectiveness of our response.
As made clear to the Committee, antisemitism has no place at UTS. This has also been made very clear to the university community on many occasions over the past 12 months. Ensuring that everyone feels welcome, safe and supported at UTS is of utmost importance to us. Our primary focus is on ensuring the safety of our community while supporting an environment in which diverse views can be freely expressed and discussed in line with our public purpose as a university. We're very clear in our expectations that this will be done respectfully at all times.
Consultation on a new Managed Growth Funding System and Needs-based Funding
July/August
As part of the Australian Universities Accord Final Report, the Australian Department of Education commenced consultation on the implementation of a new funding model for higher education by seeking feedback on a new Managed Growth Funding System and Needs-based funding. We reaffirmed our commitment to a new funding model but expressed concern regarding managed growth targets, transition periods and variances, student choice, catchment concepts and more detail regarding the needs-based funding component.
Our specific recommendations included:
- supporting a transition period up to 2030 with a guarantee that the Managed Growth Targets (MGT) do not apply to students who commenced prior to 2025
- ensuring fully-funded Commonwealth Supported Places for students from equity backgrounds, extending the guarantee to the student's chosen university and course, and
- designing the needs-based funding system on headcount, rather than equivalent full time student load (EFTSL), and including elements such as valuing the self-determination of First Nations students and providing universities with autonomy to support students based on needs.
Consultation regarding the establishment of an Australian Tertiary Education Commission
July
In response to the recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord Final report, the Australian Department of Education has consulted universities on the establishment of an Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC). It is intended the ATEC be established in an interim capacity from 1 July 2025, and formally established from 1 January 2026, subject to the passage of legislation.
We welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to establish an ATEC as the sector’s steward and welcomed the commitment to plan for ATEC implementation in consultation with the sector. However, we expressed concern that the proposed model diverged from the model outlined in the Australian Universities Accord Final Report in a way that undermined its effectiveness.
To ensure the ATEC delivers on the ambitions articulated in the Accord, we made the following recommendations:
- establish ATEC as an independent statutory authority reporting directly to the Minister for Education, rather than the Secretary of the Department of Education
- articulate core system stewardship accountabilities in the legislated ATEC objectives and purpose
- allow the appointment of Commissioners with recent higher education experience, with conflicts of interest managed through a Board Code of Conduct and a conflicts disclosure and management policy
- establish an ongoing Advisory Board with representatives from various stakeholders
- include an Equity Commissioner in the ATEC structure, and
- release an exposure draft of the ATEC legislation for consultation before introducing it to Parliament.
Inquiry into the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024
July
The Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 (the Bill) amends the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (the ESOS Act) to introduce new measures aimed at improving the quality, integrity and sustainable growth of the international education sector.
Similarly to our submission regarding the draft Australia's International Education and Skills Strategic Framework, this submission highlighted the links between international education, the Australian Universities Accord and the social and economic benefits of international education and students.
Our specific recommendations regarding the Bill included:
- an extended transition period to 1 January 2026 to allow thorough consultation ahead of forward planning and admissions processes
- minimising any further changes and disruptions to current settings during this transition
- clarifying the methodology used to determine enrolment limits and that enrolment limits be at the provider level only, and be decoupled from student accommodation
- replacing automatic suspension with a margin of flexibility or grace period
- clarifying the proposed definition as it relates to education agents
- adopting a flexible, risk-based approach to reporting and compliance, focusing on high-risk areas to ensure that the allocation of resources is efficient and effective, and
- including a sunset clause acknowledging the future role of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.
Draft National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence
June
As part of the Australian Department of Education's consultation, UTS provided feedback on the potential Standards of the National Code to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
In our submission, we recognised the unique role of higher education providers in driving broad social change but noted that UTS is at varying levels of readiness to achieve compliance by 1 January 2025 and reporting by 1 January 2026.
Our key points of feedback urged the Department to:
- foster collaboration within the sector to lift collective capability to prevent and respond to gender-based violence
- provide further guidance required on data collection and reporting requirements, managing perpetrators, offshore campuses and student support
- provide additional funding for the support services required, and
- conduct a comprehensive evaluation after 3 years of operation.
Draft Australia’s International Education and Skills Strategic Framework
June
As part of the Australian Department of Education's consultation, UTS provided feedback on a draft Australia's International Education and Skills Strategic Framework. UTS supports the Australian Government's aim to ensure the sustainability, quality and integrity of our world-class international education sector.
In our submission, we highlighted the links between international education, the Australian Universities Accord and the social and economic benefits of international education/students.
Our key points of feedback included:
- a call for a genuine co-design with the sector
- an extended transition period to 1 January 2026
- prioritising public providers and university pathways colleges
- decoupling student accommodation from growth caps, and
- separating discussions on diversification and Transnational Education from the draft Framework.
NSW Higher Education Strategy
May
UTS provided input into the NSW Department of Education's Higher Education Strategy for NSW.
In our submission, we recognised the changing higher education landscape and the importance of the NSW Government and the higher education sector working together to support the future direction of higher education in NSW.
Our key points of feedback included:
- leveraging NSW's research strengths in critical science and technology areas
- taking a systemic approach to improving the foundations of effective engagement between government, higher education and industry, and
- implementing a whole-of-government approach to policymaking.
NSW Innovation Blueprint
April
UTS provided feedback to Investment NSW on developing a NSW Innovation Blueprint, aimed at giving NSW the leading edge in the global battle to attract new investment, ideas, industries and talent.
Our feedback included suggestions on how the NSW Government can best support innovating businesses and drivers of innovation in the four focus areas of ideas, investment, industrialisation and internationalism.
Our key points of feedback included:
- developing a dedicated Industry Policy to support the Innovation Blueprint
- introducing Work Integrated Learning Vouchers to fund NSW businesses to employ university students on short-term projects to drive innovation
- creating dedicated Innovation Facilitators to connect business with the NSW tertiary education and research sector, and
- securing a greater proportion of Australian R&D funding for the whole of the NSW innovation ecosystem.
Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023
January
UTS provided input in response to the Senate Education and Employment Legislative Committee inquiry into the Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023.
UTS is supportive of the Bill, which included the establishment of the Australian Research Council Board and amendments to the current funding arrangements but retains a series of concerns.
Our key points of feedback included:
- the role of the CEO in relation to the Board be made explicit
- a review of the board within 12 months to ensure that its number and composition are appropriate and that the Board is functioning efficiently and effectively, and
- that the approval pathway for the ARC funding rules mirror that of other government funding programs.
Draft Action Plan addressing gender-based violence in higher education
January
UTS provided feedback regarding the Australian Department of Education's Draft Action Plan addressing gender-based violence in higher education, including the establishment of a National Student Ombud.
UTS supports the Action Plan and welcomes the guidance developed to support the implementation of the Respect@Work legislation to ensure that our work in sexual harm prevention and response is best practice in relation to our staff and other members of the UTS community.
Our key points of feedback included:
- ensuring easily accessible, easy-to-use confidential reporting tools and processes for universities
- transparency and co-designed, intersectional, trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches
- flexibility to allow universities to continue to focus on specific needs of their own local communities, while supporting national efforts to eliminate gender-based violence, and
- the need for government to consider the findings from UTS's Community Voice Report for how we can better serve our community in the prevention and elimination of sexual violence.
Earlier submissions
2023
- UTS submission to the NSW VET Review – November
- UTS submission to the Special Commission of Inquiry into health care funding – October
- UTS response to National Science Priorities – September
- UTS submission to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report – September
- UTS submission UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia – September
- NSW Institute of Applied Technology submission to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report 1 – September
- Tech Central Creative Industries Steering Committee submission – August
- UTS submission regarding generative AI in education - July 2023 (PDF, 336KB)
- UTS submission to the Senate Edu and Emply Cmte Re Edu Legislation Amd Bill 14April 2023 (PDF, 154KB)
- UTS submission to the Australian Universities Accord discussion paper 11 April 2023 (PDF, 477KB)
- UTS submission HRSCEET inquiry into the perceptions and status of vocational education and training Mar 2023 (PDF. 83KB)