On 13 July 2026, the Higher Education Standards Framework Amendment (Threshold Standards) Instrument 2026 was published on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Registered higher education providers (providers) are expected to meet the amended standards in the following timeframes:
- Amendments in Schedule 1 (racism):
- All providers to meet the amended standards from 1 January 2027.
- Amendments in Schedule 2 (governance):
- Providers that are listed as ‘Table A providers’ in the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and registered in the 'Australian University' category to meet the amended standards from 1 January 2027.
- All other providers to meet the amended standards from 1 July 2027.
The Threshold Standards were revised in response to several reports into the quality of governance in Australia’s higher education sector, and in response to community expectations that providers maintain an educational environment that is safe and inclusive for students and staff at risk of experiencing racism.
What’s new in the 2026 Threshold Standards?
Part B of the Threshold Standards is unchanged, except for an additional clause that all providers must meet the requirements of Part A ‘unless otherwise specified’.
Part A: Standards for Higher Education
This part of the Threshold Standards has been significantly expanded, with Domain 6 (Governance and Accountability) being extended from 3 sections to 12. Eight of these sections reflect the principles established by the Expert Council on University Governance.
Additional standards have also been added in Domains 2 (Learning Environment), 3 (Teaching), and 7 (Representation, Information and Information Management).
Updated standard 2.3.4
Amendments to standard 2.3.4 establish additional requirements to ensure the safety of students, staff and visitors.
Updated standard 2.4.3
Amendments to standard 2.4.3 require providers to engage in continuous improvement of student grievances and complaints processes to ensure transparency and accessibility. Continuous improvement should involve consultation with students and staff.
New standard 3.2.6
Section 3.2 has been expanded to require staffing policies that are inclusive and support diversity.
Updated section 6.1
Amendments to section 6.1 clarify expectations regarding the responsibilities of the governing body.
Updated standard 6.2.1
Amendments to standard 6.2.1 clarify expectations regarding the requirement that provider’s governing body assure itself that the provider is operating lawfully and ethically, that performance is monitored, and that risk appetite and management strategy is defined.
The standard has also been amended to ensure educational policies and practices support decision making by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultures.
Updated standard 6.3.1
Amendments to standard 6.3.1 strengthen expectations regarding the transparency, accountability and independence of academic governance processes and structures.
New section 6.4
This section establishes the requirement that all providers develop and maintain a safe and inclusive institutional environment that prevents and responds to racism and other discriminatory conduct, including expectations regarding specific aspects of a provider’s operations where attention to racism is required.
New section 6.5
This section establishes expectations regarding clearly delineated governance structures and accountabilities.
New section 6.6
This section establishes expectations relating to the composition and capabilities of a provider’s governing body, the need for continuous improvement in the governing body’s performance, and the training and induction of the governing body’s members to support participation in the governing body’s meetings. Governing bodies are expected to have a culture of fairness, respect, and constructive discussion.
New section 6.7 (Updated standard 6.1.4)
This new section establishes the governing body’s responsibility to develop and maintain an institutional environment that has 3 core elements, expanding on the previous requirements in standard 6.1.4.
New section 6.8
This new section establishes expectations that a provider’s purpose, strategic and short-term objectives are clear and openly communicated, and performance against these is transparent to stakeholders.
Additional requirements are outlined for providers registered in the ‘Australian University’ category and listed in Table A in section 16-15 in the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (see ‘Standards that apply to Australian Universities only’ below).
New section 6.9
This new section establishes requirements regarding lawful, ethical, responsible operations by providers, which are consistent with their public purpose.
New section 6.10
This new section establishes expectations regarding a provider’s consultation and engagement with students, staff and other stakeholders, and outlines expectations for academic decision-making.
New section 6.11
This new section establishes governing body accountability for the proactive and effective oversight of risks, and evaluation of risks management processes.
New section 6.12
This section applies only to providers registered in the Australian University category that are also listed as Table A providers in section 16-15 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (see below).
Updated standard 7.3.1
Amendments to standard 7.3.1 add requirements to the repository of publicly available current information providers must maintain to include information on the proportion of governing body members who are elected, and who have public and higher education sector experience. Providers must also include specific information about the number of employees.
Standards that apply to Australian Universities only
There are 3 standards that only apply to providers registered in the ‘Australian University’ category in Part B of the Threshold Standards.
New standard 6.1.5 (updated 6.1.3d)
Providers registered in the Australian University category are required to undertake an independent review of the effectiveness of the governing body and academic governance process every 5 years, while all other providers are required to undertake one every 7 years.
New standard 6.8.3
The governing bodies of providers registered in the Australian University category that are also listed as Table A providers in section 16-15 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 are required to publish the decisions and outcomes of governing body meetings, details of consultancy spending and any external roles held by Vice Chancellor and senior management, including the management of any perceived or real conflicts of interest.
New standard 6.12.1
The governing bodies of providers registered in the Australian University category that are also listed as Table A providers in section 16-15 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 are required to ensure that Vice Chancellor remuneration is publicly available and meet expectations regarding financial responsibility and alignment with publicly available frameworks, and to have a documented workforce remuneration strategy that is clear and sustainable.
More information
Further information about the impact of the new standards on existing assessments will be shared in the near future. If there is an impact on your existing assessment, the relevant assessment team will communicate with you about it.