Universities Australia - Objectives

Objectives

Universities Australia is non-partisan and exists exclusively for educational purposes. Its continuing aim is to serve the best interests of the universities, and through them, the nation. According to its website, its aims are to

• advance and promote the benefits of Australian Universities to the nation;
• support Australian Universities in the performance of their roles;
• develop policy positions on higher education matters through discussing higher education issues including teaching, research and research training;
• advance internationalisation of Australian Universities;
• provide information for and about Australian Universities;
• provide services and programs to Australian Universities including the negotiation of common purchasing arrangements;
• promote the welfare of students, staff and graduates of Australian Universities;
• facilitate opportunities for Australian Universities (in particular, their students, staff and graduates) to develop their knowledge and skills;
• study the problems and needs of Australian Universities and their relations with other education institutions, organisations and the community and to encourage and sponsor their study; and
• assist in the further development of Australian Universities.

Universities Australia has representatives, or nominated people, on some 67 external national and international bodies of importance to higher education. These include the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council, the Association of Commonwealth Universities Council, the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board, the Research Quality Framework Development Advisory Group, the Australian Medical Council, and the National Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee.

Universities Australia represents (and is funded by contributions from) 38 of Australia's 39 universities.