The council is part of the government’s larger plans to lighten regulation in the sector as it takes on board 27 recommendations put forth last year by reports commissioned to look into the state of the national higher education sector.

The Advisory Council will advise TEQSA and the Minister on all aspects of “minimising regulatory intervention”

“I have said that we will implement all the recommendations of the Lee Dow-Braithwaite Review of Higher Education Regulation and the PhillipsKPA Review of Reporting Requirements for Universities, and the Council will provide invaluable support and advice to me on this work,” he said in a statement.

“Easing the burden of unnecessary regulation while upholding quality is a practical expression of the government’s respect for university autonomy and our support for the competition that drives the excellence, diversity and innovation that we need.”

The council will be chaired by Peter Shergold, Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney and former Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Other members include Alan Robson Chair of the Higher Education Standards Panel, Greg Craven, Vice-Chancellor of Australian Catholic University, Karen Thomas, partner of lawyers Fisher Jeffries and Phil Honeywood, National Executive Director of the International Education Association of Australia.

Under its Terms of Reference the Advisory Council will advise TEQSA and the Minister on all aspects of “minimising regulatory intervention relating to Australian higher education, consistent with ensuring accountability for quality”.

Deputy Chief Executive of Universities Australia Greg Evans said the organisation is looking forward to “working with the council to further the twin aims of maintaining the high quality education offered by the sector and making sure it is not subject to unnecessary and costly regulation”.