The Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) will be a participant in the Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group. ITECA represents independent skills training, higher education, and international education providers with the Minister for Education, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, confirming ITECA’s participation earlier today.

ITECA will be represented by its Chief Executive, Troy Williams.

The Australian Government has stated that the objective of the Accord is to devise recommendations and performance targets that will improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of higher education to achieve long-term security and prosperity for the sector and the nation.

“These issues are of critical importance to the independent higher education sector, and I look forward to ensuring that the lived experience of ITECA members is used to guide the development of the Accord,” Mr Williams said.

Government data referenced in the 2022 ITECA State Of The Sector Report shows that independent higher education providers support around 10% of the 1.6 million students in higher education awards programs.

“When it comes to a positive student experience, independent higher education providers lead on key measures, including skills development, learner engagement, teaching quality and student support. We need to unpack the lessons from this and leverage those findings to improve the entire higher education system,” Mr Williams said.

The majority of ITECA’s higher education members are also Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that deliver skills training courses. In supporting the development of the Universities Accord, Mr Williams will present options for a more integrated tertiary education system.

“Better structural alignment of the higher education and skills training sector will improve the student experience by addressing issues associated with quality, accessibility, and affordability. There is a lot to be done to improve and align regulation and funding models across the skills training and higher education sectors,” Mr Williams said.

The Education Minister will chair the Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group.

Taken from ITECA 14 December 2022 Media Release.