Understanding the Better Regulation Working Group

The Better Regulation Working Group (BRWG) is tasked with reviewing the current regulatory framework governing Australian universities and higher education providers. Its primary objective is to remove overlapping requirements and simplify administrative processes while upholding public confidence in educational quality.

Co-chaired by representatives from the Department of Education and Universities Australia (UA), the group draws on diverse expertise. Members include key regulators such as the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA, Australia's independent national regulator for higher education quality), peak industry bodies, unions like the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), and student representatives. This inclusive composition ensures balanced perspectives from all corners of the sector.

The group will convene monthly from March through December 2026, providing a structured timeline for recommendations. Initial focus areas likely include data reporting redundancies and low-risk compliance notifications, issues previously highlighted in sector reviews.

The Transparency-Red Tape Trade-Off

In a landmark agreement, Australian universities have committed to greater transparency on spending in exchange for regulatory relief. Institutions will now publicly disclose their annual expenditure on consultants and contractors—estimated at $1.5 billion sector-wide—as well as vice-chancellor (VC) salaries (averaging $1.1 million) and senior executive remuneration.

This 'red tape deal' incentivizes efficiency gains. By reducing demands for duplicated data submissions and streamlining approvals, the government aims to redirect savings towards teaching and research. Universities Australia has praised this as a 'productivity reform' that strengthens Australia's skills base.

For those exploring higher education jobs, this could mean more streamlined hiring processes and fewer bureaucratic hurdles for faculty recruitment.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Reactions

Universities Australia CEO has lauded the initiative, stating, 'Universities should be focused on teaching students and delivering world-class research, not navigating layers of red tape.' They highlight how compliance diverts resources from national priorities like innovation.

• Peak bodies like UA see it as a 'step in the right direction' for practical reforms.
• Regulators such as TEQSA are involved to ensure quality isn't sacrificed.
• Unions and students advocate caution, emphasizing protections for staff workloads and equity.

Overall, reactions are positive, with calls for genuine cuts rather than added layers.

The Scale of Regulatory Burden in Australian Higher Education

Australian universities face a growing compliance load, with federal regulations imposing significant costs. Academics report spending excessive time on form-filling, diverting from research and pedagogy. The Group of Eight (Go8) notes this as a barrier to productivity.

Examples include:

• Duplicated reporting to multiple agencies.
• Notifications for low-risk international agreements, as flagged in prior TEQSA reviews.
• Overlapping data requirements across government portfolios.

Links to the Australian Universities Accord

This deregulation drive stems from the 2024 Australian Universities Accord Final Report, which recommended reducing red tape to harmonize tertiary education. The Accord envisions an integrated system easing pathways between Vocational Education and Training (VET) and universities.

It complements the forthcoming Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), designed to minimize regulatory overlap. ATEC will monitor burdens and advise on streamlining, aligning with BRWG goals.

Historical Context of Higher Education Reforms

Past deregulation efforts, like those in 2014-2015 under the Abbott and Turnbull governments, faced Senate blocks amid concerns over fee hikes and access equity. Unlike those market-driven proposals, the 2026 initiative focuses on administrative efficiency, learning from history to build consensus.

Recent pressures—COVID disruptions, enrollment caps, and geopolitical shifts—have amplified calls for reform.

Expected Impacts on Universities, Staff, and Students

Success could redirect billions in compliance costs to frontline activities. Universities gain flexibility for program innovation; academics reclaim time for scholarship; students benefit from improved support services.

Potential benefits:

• Enhanced research output and industry partnerships.
• Better student pathways via reduced dual-sector red tape.
• Cost savings supporting scholarships and infrastructure.

Challenges Ahead and Potential Risks

Critics worry about quality dilution if cuts are hasty. Balancing efficiency with safeguards—equity, consumer protection—is key. Unions stress monitoring workloads post-reform.

The BRWG must navigate diverse interests, ensuring recommendations are evidence-based.

Photo by Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Opportunities

By December 2026, expect targeted reforms feeding into ATEC. Long-term, this could position Australian higher education as a global leader in efficient, high-quality delivery.

For professionals, deregulation may spur job growth in streamlined admin and research roles. Explore openings at university jobs or faculty positions. Aspiring academics can find career advice at higher ed career advice.

Check Rate My Professor for insights into university cultures amid change.