ACDS lodges submission on Universities Accord Bill Posted in News, Research on August 5, 2026 by Sue White. The Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS) has lodged a submission to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026. ACDS welcomes the Bill’s ambition to expand access to higher education and improve student outcomes. The submission argues that university science is a strategic national capability that underpins Australia’s future productivity, innovation, health, environmental sustainability, sovereign capability and national security. It emphasises that every additional student who succeeds in a science degree represents an investment in Australia’s future workforce, economic resilience and prosperity. The submission also recommends that implementation of the reforms recognises the distinctive requirements of science education and ensures growth in student numbers is matched by the investment needed to maintain high-quality laboratories, fieldwork, technical capability and practical learning. Read the ACDS submission See all ACDS reports and submissions
