Professional development

Higher education policy leaders appointed to guide in tertiary and qualifications space

Freya Lucas

Jun 30, 2021

Save

A distinguished group of higher education policy leaders have been appointed to provide expert advice to the Government on maintaining and improving the quality and standards of Australia’s higher education and research, including in the field of early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Professor Steve Chapman CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of Edith Cowan University, has been named as the new chair of the Higher Education Standards Panel, with the following individuals appointed as members:

Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Sunshine Coast.
Professor Joe Chicharo OM, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Wollongong.
Professor Doug Hilton AO, Institute Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

Two previous members were reappointed:

Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Avondale University College (Deputy Chair)
Ms Adrienne Nieuwenhuis, Director: Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of South Australia

The new appointees join existing panel members Dr David Perry, Vice President Academic, Alphacrucis College, and Ms Kadi Taylor, Head - Strategic Engagement and Government Relations, Navitas.

The panel is expected to provide advice on a range of important higher education issues including transparency in admissions, the quality of online and mixed-mode courses and reducing the regulatory burden on higher education providers Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said.

“I also want them to ensure that we have appropriate standards in place to support student mental health and wellbeing and to meet the needs of students with a disability,” he added.

The members of the panel bring a wealth of experience and insight into the delivery of higher education and Minister Tudge said he looked forward to working with them over the next three years.

In making the announcement the minister thanked outgoing panel members including the outgoing Chair Professor Emeritus Ian O’Connor AC, for their service to higher education, which “has been much appreciated”.

Don’t miss a thing

New Geccko course simplifies payments, fees and CCS obligations for ECEC services

A new online learning course launched on the Geccko platform is helping early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers better understand how to manage payments, gap fees and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements in line with Family Assistance Law.

What is ARACY and how can The Nest support early childhood services

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has shaped the national conversation on child and youth wellbeing for more than two decades. Its flagship Nest Wellbeing Framework is increasingly used by organisations to align strategy, measure outcomes and strengthen collaboration.

Skilled migration opportunities for early childhood teachers to teach in Victoria

New opportunities are available for qualified early childhood professionals to build meaningful careers through the state’s skilled migration program.

Edge Early Learning becomes first QLD provider to embed Life Ed wellbeing and safety program across all centres

Edge Early Learning has announced a new statewide partnership with Life Ed Queensland that will see a comprehensive wellbeing, safety and school-readiness program embedded across every Edge centre in Queensland from January 2026, the first early learning provider in the state to take this integrated, whole-centre approach.

Looking ahead: What the ECEC sector can expect in 2026

As 2026 begins, early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across Australia are preparing for a year of substantial reform, focused on strengthening child safety and raising the bar on national standards. Following a series of agreements by Education Ministers in 2025, new changes to the National Quality Framework (NQF) and the Education and Care Services National Law will take effect progressively throughout the year. These reforms reflect the shared commitment of educators, families, communities and governments to place child safety and wellbeing at the centre of early learning environments.

New Geccko course simplifies payments, fees and CCS obligations for ECEC services

What is ARACY and how can The Nest support early childhood services

Skilled migration opportunities for early childhood teachers to teach in Victoria

New opportunities are available for qualified early childhood professionals to build meaningful careers through the state’s skilled migration program.