The higher education reforms announced with the 2009-10 Budget mark the start of a new partnership between the Australian Government and higher education institutions.
In 2010 the Government will introduce mission-based compacts that outline the relationship between the Commonwealth and each university.
The Minister for Education and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research will work together with universities to develop mission-based compacts that define an institution’s particular mission and describe how it will fulfil that mission and contribute to the Australian Government’s policy objectives. Compacts will contain agreed targets for improvement and reform which will trigger reward payments.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is working closely with the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and research (DIISR) on consultations and development of compacts.
Round-table consultations with vice-chancellors and other key stakeholders on the framework for compact development will be held in August 2009.
A discussion paper Mission-based compacts for universities: A framework for discussion was released on 22 July 2009 to provide a framework for the round-table consultations.