KEY POINTS
The Australian Government will introduce mission-based compacts with universities to provide a framework for jointly achieving the Government's reform objectives. It will work with universities to develop a compact that defines the university's particular mission and describes how it will fulfil that mission and meet the Australian Government's policy goals.
The Innovation Department is working closely with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) on the development of compacts. Consultations concerning the compacts framework were undertaken with the higher education sector in August 2009 in response to a discussion paper released by the Government in July (see below).
In September 2009, the government began negotiating Interim Agreements with universities for 2010. Interim agreement discussions are expected to be completed by the end of December 2009. Consultations will take place in 2010 to enable mission-based compacts to be negotiated with effect from 2011.
Discussion Paper
Mission-Based Compacts for Universities: A framework for discussion 
(PDF)
Mission-Based Compacts for Universities: A framework for discussion 
(RTF)
Contact: compacts@innovation.gov.au