The political environment for higher education in Australia is becoming more difficult and constrained. Although there are many sources of influence and constraint, by far the most important source is government--both federal and state. Both universities and colleges of advanced education (CAEs) now receive almost all funds from the federal…

Many members of the educational community today believe that political pressures have a major effect on education policy and institutions. This paper discusses four barriers that impede teachers and administrators who must cope with these new political pressures. The four barriers include the problem of meanings and definitions, the lack of…

Governments of developed nations use a variety of policy instruments to enhance university research and knowledge transfer capabilities. These include advocacy, persuasion and information; consultation and committees of enquiry; creation of major research centres and commercialisation agencies, and investment in research infrastructure; grants,…

Coordination of post-secondary education institutions means regulation with the aim of developing greater consistancy and overall efficiency, and avoiding overlap of functions and resource waste. Australian coordination plans must balance freedom for academic institutions with the need to be assured these institutions are serving society's needs.…

University autonomy in Australia is examined: why institutional independence is important, how it has eroded since the late 1960s, factors leading to the erosion, and possible university responses. Concern is expressed about the universities' ability to withstand further government encroachment. (MSE)

Australian experience since the late 1950s with coordinating agencies for higher education is reviewed, focusing on factors influencing the development and adaptation of these agencies, the establishment and transformation over time of the Australian Universities Commission, and recent developments in coordinating mechanisms at both commonwealth…

Two important and far-reaching decisions by the Australian Commonwealth Government with regard to its future policies on education are discussed. The future of Commonwealth involvement in education, funding for tertiary education, the introduction of tuition fees in universities, and the rationalization of single-purpose teacher education are…

Explores quality-assurance mechanisms for higher education and their use as a government policy instrument. Outlines several national or system-level approaches adopted worldwide; reviews an Australian quality-assurance program conducted from 1993 to 1995 and its successor program; and comments on ways in which the government used quality…

A new theme in the old tension between centralization and decentralization in the governance and administration of Australian higher education is explored. The argument is that the various major attempts to restructure Australian education systems both in centralizing and decentralizing forces have gained new strength, and that the recent stated…