Letter to Trevor Gauld | Jobs and Skills Report 2026 and the contribution of independent higher education providers

In a 26 October 2026 letter addressed to Trevor Gauld, Acting Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), IHEA welcomed the 2026 report’s emphasis on improving skills utilisation, strengthening pathways between
education and employment and supporting lifelong learning. The recognition that meeting Australia’s future
workforce needs requires more than increasing qualification supply was particularly appreciated.

As JSA progresses its research and policy advice on skills and tertiary education reform, independent providers would welcome opportunities to contribute their perspectives and experience. IHEA, as the representative of independent higher education providers, would particularly welcome consideration of three areas.

1. Recognition of the contribution of the whole higher education sector,
2. support of broad participation in tertiary education reform,
3. and support of broad participation in tertiary education reform.