IHEA Membership | Benefits and General Information

IHEA membership is a badge of quality

Membership of IHEA is only open to providers that are registered and accredited by the national regulator TEQSA – the same regulator as Australian public universities.

Representing the independent higher education sector, IHEA works to build recognition, respect and visibility for its members across government, the sector and the wider community.

Why join ihea?

Advocacy That
Delivers Results

IHEA advocates for a fair, competitive and sustainable higher education system that recognises the critical role of independent providers.

Recent wins include:

securing changes to the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2025 to limit ministerial powers to cancel or suspend courses
ensuring transitional provisions were included so new IHEA members could attain CRICOS registration
stopping the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 from passing Parliament, including preventing the proposed “hard cap” regime on international students
driving advocacy that helped scrap Ministerial Direction 107 and secure a fairer three-tier visa processing system under Direction 115.
securing permanent recognition of Undergraduate Certificates in the Australian Qualifications Framework
reducing the FEE-HELP loan fee for students at independent higher education institutions from 25 per cent to 20 per cent
protecting the “University College” designation
supporting access to FEE-HELP for eligible IHEA members.

IHEA is focused on the issues that matter most to members, including international education, student caps, TEQSA powers, implementation of the Australian Universities Accord, equitable access to government support, and the independent sector’s role in achieving Australia’s national tertiary attainment goals.

EXCLUSIVE
BENEFITS

for IHEA MEMBERS

Exclusive Member Services

IHEA membership provides access to premium academic resources and consortium savings, specialist advice and support, timely policy and sector insights, exclusive professional networks and events, and benchmarking opportunities that strengthen institutional capability, student outcomes and sustainable growth.

Members can access premium academic resources from our library partners to support their students’ learning experience. In addition to specialist advice and support from IHEA affiliate members in AI learning platform, software, data systems, quality assurance, credentialing and online learning.

Library consortia savings

IHEA’s library consortia can deliver significant savings compared with providers negotiating directly with publishers. Recent analysis indicates that a member with approximately 1,000 EFTSL could save up to 68 per cent on selected academic publication subscriptions through the IHEA offer. For further information about the Library Consortia Offer, please contact us.

Clear Policy Briefings

IHEA translates complex policy and regulatory issues into practical, member-focused briefings and fact sheets. These resources support strategic planning and decision-making across higher education reform, international education, student visas, compliance, regulation and QILT survey outcomes.

Networks That Build Capability and Connection

IHEA connects members with the people, insights and opportunities that matter. Members gain access to exclusive networks, expert briefings, professional development and communities of practice at no additional cost. Throughout the year, IHEA brings members together online and in person to share intelligence, build capability, strengthen peer connections and shape sector advocacy.

IHEA member networks

IHEA member networks include:

IHEA Network Meetings	Member Value
CEO and Leaders Group	Strategic briefings, sector intelligence and direct peer exchange for senior leaders, with opportunities to shape IHEA advocacy.
International Network	Timely insights on student visas, ESOS reforms, Ministerial Directions, student caps, application trends and international education policy.
Generative AI Community of Practice	Practical guidance on AI adoption, academic integrity, TEQSA expectations and whole-of-institution approaches.
Student Wellbeing and Safety Community of Practice	Expert briefings and peer discussion on safer, more inclusive and supportive learning environments.
Teaching and Learning Network	Expert-led discussion on educational quality, academic standards, assessment, digital learning and student success.
Research and Scholarship Network	A member-led forum to build research confidence, capability and impact across independent higher education.
Dual Sector Network	Targeted insights for higher education and VET providers on regulation, funding reform, tertiary integration and emerging policy priorities.

IHEA also brings members together through key in-person events, including the Annual General Meeting, member forums and end-of-year gathering.

Timely Sector Insights

IHEA keeps members informed through regular newsletters, sector updates and member services communications. Members receive timely insights into policy, regulation, advocacy activity, sector developments, opportunities and discounts, helping institutions stay informed and prepared.

Benchmark, improve and grow

IHEA offers members the opportunity to benchmark QILT Survey response data. Following data sharing agreements, participating members can compare results against the broader IHEA membership cohort or selected peer groups, supporting evidence-informed decisions across student experience, performance and institutional operations.

IHEA Library Network

IHEA member institutions have access to our exclusive Library Network. Network members can subscribe to international leading academic libraries to provide the best learning resources for their students.

The subscription is implemented on a consortium basis with IHEA as the lead subscriber on behalf our our members. This means excellent value for subscribing members. Costs are calculated on the basis of products selected and enrolments. Trials are available from the vendors for all products.

IHEA’s academic libraries ensure students have access to the best learning resources.

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

There's an IHEA membership package for registered providers, aspiring providers and businesses who support IHEA's objectives and provide services to our members.

Membership
Provides all the benefits of membership, including exclusive access to member-only resources, library partnerships, professional networks and events, specialist advice and support, and benchmarking opportunities.

Associate Membership
Available to aspiring higher education providers who are applying for registration with TEQSA. Associate members can participate in IHEA professional events, building their sector networks and getting the best start to the provider journey and ongoing quality assurance.

Affiliate Membership
For businesses and organisations who support IHEA’s objectives and provide services to independent higher education providers. Affiliate members provide high quality products and services at their best available prices to IHEA members.

ENQUIRIES

Need more information regarding membership? Fill in the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.