Research Australia welcomes the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026 as an important step towards improving access to higher education and supporting greater participation by students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
Our submission supports the Bill’s equity objectives while emphasising that education and research are intrinsically linked and should be considered together in implementing the Universities Accord. Research Australia recommends that reforms strengthen pathways into research careers, particularly in health and medical research, and ensure that the new Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) considers research capability alongside teaching and workforce planning.
The submission also highlights the need for sustainable research funding, noting that universities play a critical role in driving innovation, improving health outcomes and supporting national productivity. Finally, Research Australia calls for implementation of the broader Accord recommendations that reinforce Australia’s research and innovation system, ensuring that expanded access to higher education also builds the skilled research workforce needed to meet future economic, health and societal challenges.
Read Research Australia’s full submission here.
