Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC): Statement of Strategic Priorities - ADCET Submission

In October 2026, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) invited feedback on their Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) and summary draft of the Work Plan for 2027-28.

The SSP is a key stewardship document that provides strategic direction for the tertiary education system and informs the development of mission-based compacts between ATEC and providers.

ADCET welcomed ATEC’s proposed National Disability Strategy for Higher Education but stresses that disability inclusion must be embedded across all strategic priorities and activities. Persistent barriers include onerous documentation, repeated disclosure, inconsistent support and uneven staff capability. ADCET recommends explicitly addressing disability in equity, teaching quality, graduate employment and student experience priorities, supported by obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act and Disability Standards for Education.

ADCET also recommends considering disability across every relevant Workplan project and strengthening national coordination across education sectors, particularly around transitions, access planning and disability-related data. Funding and enabling programs, including Needs-based Funding, Outreach Funding and FEE-FREE Uni Ready, should be accessible by design, alongside monitoring the expanded Disability Support Fund to support consistent and effective implementation.

The full ADCET submission is attached below.

(October 2026)