This bill became law on Apr 1st, 2026.
Education & skills
This is the companion law for the Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy..
The government introduced this companion bill because the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act could not operate cleanly on its own. Existing laws still referred to the minister, the Higher Education Standards PanelThe former advisory panel whose standards-advice role is removed and replaced by ATEC functions under this Act. and older compactAn agreement between ATEC and a higher education provider about the provider's role, goals and performance objectives. arrangements, so this Act rewired those provisions, carried current compacts across, and supplied transitional rule-making power for the shift to ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy..
The Universities Accord recommended a national body to steer long-term higher education reform. The main ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act created that body; this companion Act did the plumbing around it by amending the Higher Education Support Act and TEQSA ActThe law governing TEQSA and the national higher education standards framework., transferring standards-advice work to ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy., preserving existing provider compacts and setting up transition rules. Parliament passed the companion bill as part of the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, and it commenced with the main ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act on 29 April 2026.
Criticism was aimed mainly at the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package rather than the technical companion bill by itself. Opponents and conditional supporters argued that the package added bureaucracy, gave ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. regulatory-style power over universities, did not make the commission independent enough, and left student debt and Job-ready Graduates settings unresolved.
Hon Jason Clare MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 01 Apr 2026
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
126 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
This is the companion law for the Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy.. It makes the related legal changes needed for the new commission to operate inside existing higher education laws.
The Act changes the Higher Education Support Act so Table A and Table B providers must have a mission-based compactAn agreement between ATEC and a higher education provider about the provider's role, goals and performance objectives., or default compactA fallback compact that can apply when a provider does not have an agreed mission-based compact in force., with the Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. when Commonwealth grants are paid for that year.
It lets ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Commissioners fit into existing Higher Education Support Act information and delegation arrangements, including for official use of higher education information and delegated decisions under that Act.
It moves higher education standards advice from the Higher Education Standards PanelThe former advisory panel whose standards-advice role is removed and replaced by ATEC functions under this Act. to ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy.. ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. can advise the minister and TEQSA on the Higher Education Standards FrameworkThe national standards used to assess higher education provider quality and operations., must consult before advising the minister, and must review the standards at least every 5 years.
Existing mission-based compacts continue under the new ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. framework, and the minister can make limited transitional rules to handle practical issues as the new arrangements begin.
The C&T Bill will support the implementation of the Bill by making necessary amendments to related legislation and establishing transitional arrangements.Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) explanatory memorandum
A mission based compact, or a default mission based compact, under the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026, must be in force between the Australian Tertiary Education Commission and a higher education provider that is a Table A provider or a Table B provider in respect of each year for which a grant is paid to the provider under this Act for a period that includes that year.Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) as-passed bill text
The purpose of this amendment, and the amendment in item 2, to section 179-15 is to enable an ATEC Commissioner to use, disclose or record personal information obtained or created for the purposes of HESA in the course of official employment.Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) explanatory memorandum
The ATEC must review the standards that make up the Higher Education Standards Framework at least once every 5 years.Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) as-passed bill text
A mission based compact that was in force under section 19-110 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 immediately before the commencement of this item continues in force... as if it were a mission based compact under section 27 of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Act 2026.Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) as-passed bill text
Context
The Universities Accord recommended a national body to steer long-term higher education reform. The main ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act created that body; this companion Act did the plumbing around it by amending the Higher Education Support Act and TEQSA ActThe law governing TEQSA and the national higher education standards framework., transferring standards-advice work to ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy., preserving existing provider compacts and setting up transition rules. Parliament passed the companion bill as part of the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, and it commenced with the main ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act on 29 April 2026.
Universities Accord calls for a system steward
The Accord identified the absence of a dedicated tertiary education steward as a gap in planning, national priorities, equity and quality outcomes.
Explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package
Jason Clare introduced the main ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill and this companion bill as a package to establish the commission and make the supporting consequential changes.
Minister second reading speech ↗Senate committee referral
The ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package was referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, with a report due on 27 February 2026.
APH bill page notes ↗Companion bill passes Parliament
Both Houses passed the companion bill on 30 March 2026, leaving the final text with only year-reference changes from the introduced version.
Parliamentary timeline and text comparison ↗Consequential changes commence with ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act
Because the Act commences at the same time as the main ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Act, its practical start date followed the main Act commencement.
Final Act commencement table ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The Senate sent the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill package, including this companion bill, to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee before final passage.
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesMembers and senators debated this companion bill together with the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill.
Members and senators debated this companion bill together with the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Members and senators debated this companion bill together with the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The Senate considered the bill in detail as part of the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package. No textual change beyond year-reference updates is evident in the final text collected here.
Committee of the Whole debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both Houses passed the same text on 30 March 2026, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
Criticism was aimed mainly at the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package rather than the technical companion bill by itself. Opponents and conditional supporters argued that the package added bureaucracy, gave ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. regulatory-style power over universities, did not make the commission independent enough, and left student debt and Job-ready Graduates settings unresolved.
The companion bill was largely machinery legislation; the policy debate centred on the commission created by the main bill and on what powers the related amendments would support.
More bureaucracy and regulatory burden
Coalition speakers argued that ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. would add another regulator-like body to an already complex higher education system and would not directly fund more teaching, research or student places.
Independence and ministerial control
Crossbench and Greens speakers said the commission needed stronger independence, resourcing and authority if it was to fulfil the Universities Accord vision rather than operate too closely to the minister or department.
Student debt and Job-ready Graduates
Several critics said the bill package did not go far enough on HECS debt, arts and humanities fee settings, or reversal of the Job-ready Graduates scheme.
Privacy limits from information sharing
The explanatory memorandum acknowledged that the package engaged the right to privacy because ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. Commissioners could use and disclose existing higher education information for official functions, while arguing the limits were confined and proportionate.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Jason Clare presented the companion bill as part of the two-bill ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package and said it made the consequential amendments needed to implement the main commission legislation.
Read in Hansard ↗Julian Leeser opposed the package, arguing it created a new regulator for an already overregulated sector and gave ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. an unsuitable policy objective.
Read in Hansard ↗Monique Ryan supported steps toward Accord reform but said the package did not sufficiently address student contributions, debt and equity barriers.
Read in Hansard ↗Anthony Chisholm supported the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, presenting it as a Universities Accord reform to improve higher education stewardship, access and long-term skills planning.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
22 speakers · 25 contributions · 22 support
“This bill is part of a package of two bills which together will establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I listened carefully to a few of the opposition speakers, and I feel sorry for them, in that it must be quite painful sitting on the barbed-wire fence. On one hand, there were some very good points made there—they were quoting some of the Senate submissions—but, on the other, I'm still none the wiser as to whether they support the bill or oppose the bill. Ti”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, the ATEC.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“establishing the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, implementing the recommendations of the universities accord and placing students back at the centre of our system, where they should be—building a system that is fairer, more sustainable and fit for the future.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to speak in support of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The member for Goldstein talks about the divide between this side of the chamber and that side of the chamber. Can I tell you that, when it comes to higher education, whether you are going to university to get a degree or whether you are going to TAFE to get a trade, that divide is very, very clear. Labor invests in higher education, and all the opposition h”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“establishing the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Education has the ability to change the trajectory of a person's life forever. Education is one of Labor's deepest values. Its transformative power has the ability to change potential into opportunity. It widens the circle. Where you start out in life should not limit how far you go, and that's what this debate is about. The Australian Universities Accord is”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission as a steward of the tertiary system.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Emma Comer on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Emma Comer supported the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, presenting it as a Universities Accord reform to improve higher education stewardship, access and long-term skills planning.
“The second bill before the House makes the necessary amendments to the existing legislation to support the establishment of the ATEC.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Emma Comer supported the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, presenting it as a Universities Accord reform to improve higher education stewardship, access and long-term skills planning.
“Accessible education is paramount to the Australian way of life. It provides opportunity and levels the playing field for those who are not born into privilege. As someone who has previously served on their university council, I've seen firsthand some of the challenges faced by this sector and, as such, I am proud to speak in favour of the Universities Accor”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Claire Clutterham on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Claire Clutterham supported the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, presenting it as a Universities Accord reform to improve higher education stewardship, access and long-term skills planning.
“I rise today to speak in support of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Claire Clutterham supported the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package, presenting it as a Universities Accord reform to improve higher education stewardship, access and long-term skills planning.
“The bill also provides the ATEC with the function of preparing reports and providing advice and recommendations on improving higher education, access, participation and outcomes for those facing systemic barriers to education. We are at a generational juncture, and this is the moment to design an enduring higher education system that serves Australia's inter”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“In my first speech in this place, I shared how I am forever grateful for the education, the keys to the kingdom, that I received and acknowledged that education changes lives. It changed mine, and it does so for many Australians in our communities. The words I shared in 2022—that I'm passionate about ensuring we have a robust higher education system that val”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Australia's future prosperity will be built on education, skills and opportunity. The Albanese government know this, and it's why we are working to rebuild confidence in the tertiary system after a decade of Liberal neglect, strengthening pathways into learning. The bill before the House today, the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commissio”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“establishes the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, or ATEC.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Labor is the party of education and of training. We know the power of education and training, which transform lives and transform communities. As the Minister for Skills and Training, I'm very proud of the work of this government, particularly that of the Minister for Education, to ensure that our tertiary education system—both university education and vocat”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak about this very important bill, a bill that will shape the future of how we learn, how we train and how we prepare our country for decades ahead. Of course, I'm talking about the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and its companion, the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Conse”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to make my contribution to the legislation before the House, which is the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. The electorate that I represent is home to the outstanding Western Sydney Univer”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise today to speak about these bills, the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. They're about something really important: whether our university system is actually working for people, especially y”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I thank all senators for their contributions to the debate. The Australian Universities Accord was the biggest and broadest review of the higher education system in 15 years. It says that, in the years ahead, more jobs are going to require people with more skills. It says that 60 per cent of Australians working today have a qualification and that that number”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak in support of the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. This is an essential piece of legislation borne out of the Australian Universities Accord, the most comprehensive review of Aus”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Jason Clare on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Jason Clare presented the companion bill as part of the two-bill ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package and said it made the consequential amendments needed to implement the main commission legislation.
“This bill is part of a package of two bills which together will establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Jason Clare presented the companion bill as part of the two-bill ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package and said it made the consequential amendments needed to implement the main commission legislation.
“I thank all members for their contributions to this debate. The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 is a bill to establish the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, the ATEC. Establishing the ATEC is a key recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord, and it will be the job of the ATEC to help drive and steer ”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
7 speakers · 5 oppose · 2 mixed
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Can you believe this government? They just try to find every possible way they can to outsource decision-making to bureaucracy, to regulators or to anyone but themselves because they don't like taking responsibility for making decisions, especially for making hard decisions. That's why they want to set up this body, the Australian Tertiary Education Commissi”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I, too, rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. I acknowledge the support for the principle of ATEC in the university sector, but, given the flaws, omissions and governance issues ”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I think about the thousands of Australian university students who have committed themselves to three-year, four-year and five-year programs, wanting to build out the potential for their participation not just in the workforce but in contributing to human progress and human achievement. They go to tertiary institutions—in particular, universities, as I did—be”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I must say that the there are some deeply troubling aspects in this bill. I start at the front, in terms of the objective. The legislation proposes a national tertiary education objective that is meant to guide the ATEC in the performance of every function and exercise of every power. Let me read this objective. The objective that's contained in clause 13 of”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 3 contributions · 2 mixed
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Mehreen Faruqi, including an amendment-moving contribution. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Mehreen Faruqi argued the package failed to address Job-ready Graduates, student debt, public funding and racism at universities, while pressing Greens amendments.
“The higher education sector is in crisis. Inquiry after inquiry, report after report, tell the same story, over and over, of the complete failures of a neo-liberal agenda and the corporatisation, the consultant capture and the commercialisation of universities, where the public focused knowledge creation, teaching and research mission of universities has giv”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Moved amendment
Mehreen Faruqi argued the package failed to address Job-ready Graduates, student debt, public funding and racism at universities, while pressing Greens amendments.
“by leave—I move the Greens amendment on sheet 3712: At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate: (a) notes that: (i) this bill fails to grapple with the most significant issues facing our higher education sector, namely the impacts of the job-ready graduates package, (ii) students are being shackled by a lifetime of debt which is making the cost of livin”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“Our higher education sector is in crisis. Corporatisation and a dangerous, generational neoliberal agenda have hollowed out our universities. I say 'generational' as one who, gratefully, started their studies at UQ, the University of Queensland, in my electorate, courtesy of free education in 1974. I still have an association with that university. I'm still ”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
5 speakers · 6 contributions · 1 oppose · 4 mixed
“In 1974, Gough Whitlam made university in Australia free. In 1989, when Bob Hawke introduced our HECS-HELP system, Australia's higher education sector remained, even then, among the most accessible in the world. It produced generations of Australians with the skills to strengthen our economy, to enrich our communities and to deepen our democracy. Effectively”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As the House knows, education is very important to my community in Fowler and, of course, across the country, but, for migrants and refugee communities that are in Fowler, I cannot emphasise enough how critical education is. People would recall I constantly speak about how, when we were in refugee camps when my mother chose Australia, my late mother told me ”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by David Pocock on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
David Pocock welcomed the idea of ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. but argued it needed stronger independence, resourcing and urgency on student contribution reform.
“I rise to speak on the Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and to foreshadow amendments I'll be moving in relation to this legislation.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
David Pocock welcomed the idea of ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. but argued it needed stronger independence, resourcing and urgency on student contribution reform.
“by leave—I move: At the end of the motion, add "but the Senate: (a) notes that the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) is a welcome step in improving the sustainability, governance and enduring excellence of Australia's higher education system for staff, students and the continued future success of our country; (b) recognises”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“I oppose this bill as drafted.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
Members and senators debated this companion bill together with the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
Members and senators debated this companion bill together with the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
Members and senators debated this companion bill together with the main Australian Tertiary Education CommissionThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. bill.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the Whole debate
Detailed Senate review
The Senate considered the bill in detail as part of the ATECThe new national body created by the main ATEC Act to steward higher education and advise on tertiary education policy. package. No textual change beyond year-reference updates is evident in the final text collected here.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both Houses passed the same text on 30 March 2026, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe formal approval by the Governor-General that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee
Referred to committee
The Senate sent the ATEC bill package, including this companion bill, to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee before final passage.
The bill was referred on 27 November 2025, with the committee report due on 27 February 2026.
APH bill page notes
