On 14 April 2011, Senator the Hon Chris Evans and Senator the Hon Kim Carr announced a Review that will examine how to ensure Australia has a higher education system in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share equally in the life and career opportunities that a quality higher education sector can provide.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be underrepresented in the higher education sector: across many indicators, including student access, participation and completion rates, and employment of research staff.

The Review provides the opportunity to consider new strategies to look at higher education access and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and redress the current inequality, based upon the best available evidence.

The Review is being directed by a Panel chaired by Professor Larissa Behrendt, Professor of Law and Indigenous Studies and the University of Technology, Sydney. Other Panel members are Professor Steve Larkin, Chair of the Indigenous Higher Education Advisory Council (IHEAC), Robert Griew, Associate Secretary, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Patricia Kelly, Deputy Secretary, Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research.

The Review will report its findings to the Australian Government within 12 months.