House Division 3 · 9 Feb 2026

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Agree with the bill's main idea

Carried 95 aye · 39 no

What this vote was about

The majority voted in favour of a motion to agree with the main idea of the bill. In parliamentary jargon, they voted to read the bill for a second time. This means the bill can now be considered in greater detail.

What does this bill do?

According to the bills digest, which is a document prepared by the parliamentary library:

The Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 (the Bill) provides for the establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to provide stewardship of the higher education system.

The Bill enshrines a National Tertiary Education Objective (NTEO), to which ATEC must have regard in performing its functions.

Establishing ATEC was a recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord, although not all components of the recommendations are included in the Bill. The Minister would appoint three commissioners, including a First Nations Commissioner. At least one must have experience with vocational education and training (VET). ATEC will be assisted by the Department of Education.

As well as the NTEO, and specific criteria in the Bill, ATEC must have regard to the Minister’s short-term and long-term strategic priorities when performing functions or exercising powers.

ATEC is to provide advice and recommendations on a number of prescribed areas and/or upon request by the Minister. It would also provide:

an annual report on the state of the tertiary education system

advice and recommendations on the Higher Education Standards Framework.

ATEC would establish and monitor performance through mission based compacts with Table A and B providers, which will outline how the provider’s purpose, values and goals align with national, state and local priorities, planning and strategy.

Context written by They Vote For You volunteers (ODbL), reproduced unchanged.

Second reading: The second reading vote decides whether the chamber agrees with the bill in principle. A second reading amendment attaches commentary or conditions to that agreement without changing the bill's text.

Related bills

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025

By party

Party	Aye	No
Australian Labor Party	86	0
Liberal–National Coalition	1	38
Independent	8	1

Every vote

“Crossed” marks a vote against the majority of the member's own party in this division.

AYE (95)

NO (39)

Divisions this sitting day

Every division the House held that day, in order; the one on this page is marked.

Division 1 Motions - Small Business - Adjourn debate Carried House 89–42
Division 2 Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Opposition concerns Negatived House 41–95
Division 3 Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Agree with the bill's main idea Carried House 95–39