ABSTRACT
Higher education in Australia includes two systems of institutions within the tertiary sector — universities and colleges of advanced education. Tertiary education itself corresponds with post-school education, and it is usually acknowledged by educational commentators that technical and further education (TAFE) is included in this sector because of its post-school nature, not because of the educational level of its courses. It is widely accepted that universities are more than training institutions but that they have a more comprehensive role in the education system. One of the main pressures for accountability in higher education has come from the increasing numbers and strength of concerned interest groups. The aims of the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee (AVCC) are to provide a forum for discussion of items of common concern, to formulate advice to councils on these issues, to publicize, and to collect and disseminate information to the universities which may be of interest and concern.
