Overview

• The interim report recommends the Remuneration Tribunal set salary ranges for vice-chancellors and senior executives, citing evidence that 21 university heads earned over $1 million in 2023.
• Universities would be required to publish council minutes, disclose spending on consultants, maintain public conflict-of-interest registers and release senior executive pay details.
• Councils would add more staff and student members, ensure equal treatment of elected representatives and provide governance training for those members.
• TEQSA would gain expanded investigative and compliance powers with clearer public reporting and coordination with other regulators.
• The committee plans further hearings before a final December report; the NTEU welcomed the package, the Group of Eight urged nuance, and Education Minister Jason Clare will put the findings to state and territory counterparts next month.