23 October 2026 — IHEA welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Department of Education’s 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft for Public Consultation.
The 2026 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap (Roadmap) provides an opportunity to improve access to shared national research infrastructure, particularly for smaller and specialised institutions that cannot reasonably replicate the costly infrastructure available within Australia’s largest research-intensive universities. The central premise of the Exposure Draft is its recognition that high-quality national research infrastructure is fundamental to Australia’s research capability, economic prosperity, productivity and resilience.
The final Roadmap should therefore seek to maximise both the research and broader economic and social returns from Australia’s investment in National Research Infrastructure.
IHEA’s submission focuses on those aspects of the Exposure Draft and consultation questions that are most relevant to independent higher education, particularly equitable access, research capability, digital and AI infrastructure, workforce development and the effective use of national research infrastructure.
Stay informed
Our IHEA News keeps you up to date with the latest higher education information, policies, comments and IHEA submissions.