A bird's eye view of national quality initiatives

Government initiative

Performance indicators
(accountability in bureaucratic terms)

Quality
(accountability in academic terms)

1987/1988

Commonwealth education bureaucracy is restructured to create the Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET). Over the 1990s DEET becomes the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) and then the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA).

1988

The 1988 White Paper (Dawkins) positions the government to bring universities to account for their outcomes. The Australian 'unified' system of higher education is established.

Performance indicators, quality and funding are linked.

1991

Australia's first 'quality' policy is announced.

DEET/ DEETYA/ DETYA refines performance indicators. Biennial and annual performance reports covering all publicly funded universities are produced.

Performance linked to funding is developed cautiously.

Committee for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (CQAHE) is established. Membership is comprised of six representatives from the HE sector and four government nominees.

1993 - 1995

CQAHE conducts quality reviews and associated high profile league tables are developed. Participation is voluntary but with rewards of money and status all universities participate.

1996

A new Coalition Government is elected.

CQAHE disbanded.

1998

Higher Education Council abolished

All universities required to submit a Quality Improvement Plan

1999

Minister Kemp announces a new quality assurance (QA) policy for Australian higher education.

2000

Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) is established. Membership to be comprised of four representatives from the HE sector and six government nominees.

2001

Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST) established

AUQA trials quality audits.

2002

AUQA will conduct quality audits on a rolling five year cycle.