🇦🇺 Australian Government Intelligence & Advisory Platform
YourGov.com.au
Federal
Corporate Commonwealth Entity
Education and Training

Australian National University

Portfolio: Education

http://www.anu.edu.au

Annual Budget

$2.5B

2025-26 Budget
Flat vs prior year
Total Revenue

$2.8B

2024-25 Total Revenue
Staff

5,500

Headcount (2024-25)
Major Digital Projects
4

Tertiary Collection of Student Information (TCSI) Renewal Project

Department of Education

Tier 1
DCA: Medium-High
Active

Total Budget

$32.4M

Digital Budget

$27.8M

July 2023June 2026

The TCSI Renewal Project is an ICT project delivering improved decision-making, service provision, access and security. It will reduce administrative overheads, improve productivity and increase satisfaction of higher education providers and students. The benefits will be delivered through enhancements to analytic capacity, monitoring and service delivery tools, to drive more accurate and timely data collection processes and ensure the security and privacy of data holdings.

Education Funding System (EFS) (Transforming Program Administration for Schools and Higher Education (TPASU)

Department of Education

Tier 2
DCA: Medium-High
Active

Total Budget

$88M

Digital Budget

$71M

July 2023December 2026

The EFS project is a significant initiative by the department to modernise and streamline the management of education funding across Australia, to improve the administration of $46 billion in annual funding allocated to Australian schools and higher education institutions. At the time of preparing this report, this project is subject to the escalation protocols set out in the Assurance Framework for Digital and ICT Investments. These protocols are designed to support agencies in the timely resolution of delivery challenges.

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) - Automation and Streamlining of Gap Fee Compliance

Department of Education

Tier 3
Active

Total Budget

$7.5M

Digital Budget

$7.5M

July 2024June 2026

The CCS – Automation and Streamlining of Gap Fee Compliance project aims to enhance CCS program integrity and efficiency by automating and streamlining gap fee compliance activities. This project is part of broader efforts from 2022–23 to 2024–25 to prevent fraud and ensure compliance, delivering significant savings over 6 years. The project enhances the financial support through the CCS, benefiting Australian families and children.

Schools Unique Student Identifier (USI)

Department of Education

Tier 3
Active

Total Budget

$NFPM

Digital Budget

$NFPM

January 2019December 2027

The Schools USI project is a national enabling initiative in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement 2025–2034 (BFSA). The initiative expands the national USI system operating currently in the vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sectors to the school education sector. Once fully implemented, a unique number will be assigned to all primary and secondary school students in Australia, including students in alternative schooling arrangements such as homeschooling. This unique national number will be able to travel with a student throughout their school years and into VET and higher education. Implementation of the Schools USI national enabling initiative will continue in 2026 consistent with the BFSA schedule, with all school students to receive a USI by the end of 2027.

Ideas relevant to this department

11 tagged

Reform proposals on YourGov that name this department as a delivery partner — drawn from citizen voice, government strategy, research, international examples and gap analysis.

STRATEGY SUMMARY

The Australian National University (ANU) was established in 1946 by federal legislation as the first and only national university in Australia. We were created to provide our nation and region with the research and education foundations on which to build capacity and accelerate national prosperity. ANU has, since its founding, tackled the biggest challenges by drawing together the world's best experts and applying an interdisciplinary focus. This approach has delivered transformational outcomes and benefits for Australia and the world. It is both our privilege and responsibility.

PURPOSE

The Australian National University (ANU) was established in 1946 by federal legislation as the first and only national university in Australia. We were created to provide our nation and region with the research and education foundations on which to build capacity and accelerate national prosperity. ANU has, since its founding, tackled the biggest challenges by drawing together the world's best experts and applying an interdisciplinary focus. This approach has delivered transformational outcomes and benefits for Australia and the world. It is both our privilege and responsibility.

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.5

Strategic priorities

· 13

1

Our Mission-based Compact with the Federal Government, aligning our objectives with national priorities.

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
2

The establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to oversee system-wide performance and funding

The establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) to oversee system-wide performance and funding through the following initiatives: The implementation of the Managed Growth Funding System (MGFS), including our agreed glidepath, and demand-driven Needs-based Funding to ensure Australian students, regardless of their background, have the best opportunity to participate and succeed in higher education.

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
3

The continuation of the National Planning Level (NPL) for 2026 to safeguard the high quality and reputation of Australia

The continuation of the National Planning Level (NPL) for 2026 to safeguard the high quality and reputation of Australia's international education sector.

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
4

The government's priority to increase engagement with Southeast Asia, in alignment with Invested: Australia's Economic S

The government's priority to increase engagement with Southeast Asia, in alignment with Invested: Australia's Economic Strategy for Southeast Asia to 2040, underpinning our New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) growth allocation for 2026 (3,750 in 2026).

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
5

The Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) and its implications for Australia's research and developme

The Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) and its implications for Australia's research and development (R&D) system

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
6

The Innovation and Science Australia 2030 Strategic Plan, referenced in the University's funding agreement as the basis

The Innovation and Science Australia 2030 Strategic Plan, referenced in the University's funding agreement as the basis for determining national priorities under the National Institutes Grant

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
7

The outcomes of the Senate Inquiry into Higher Education Governance, shaping governance and compliance expectations

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
8

The Australian Universities Accord–National Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Bill 2025, wh

The Australian Universities Accord–National Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Bill 2025, which received assent on 28 August 2025, to prevent and respond to gender-based violence

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
9

The outcomes of the Parliamentary Inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
10

The establishment of a National Student Ombudsman as the primary escalated complaints body for higher education students

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
11

Recent Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) focus areas, including cybersecurity and the responsible

Recent Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) focus areas, including cybersecurity and the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI)

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
12

The implementation of the University's TEQSA Institutional Action Plan to address the risk of generative AI on award int

The implementation of the University's TEQSA Institutional Action Plan to address the risk of generative AI on award integrity

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7
13

The University's obligations under the Commonwealth Climate Disclosure and the requirement to report on our exposure to

The University's obligations under the Commonwealth Climate Disclosure and the requirement to report on our exposure to climate risks and opportunities, as well as our actions to manage them, delivering transparent and consistent climate disclosures to the Australian public.

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.7

Outcomes

· 2

Strategic goal 1: Providing distinctive transformative research and investment in future capability and capacity to meet our national responsibilities

ANU is committed to delivering research that transforms society and creates national capability. We are a research-intensive, research-led university. Research is central to everything ANU does. To achieve this, we are implementing Enabling Impact: The ANU Research Strategy 2024+, which focuses on excellence, impact and innovation. We will build a world-class 21st century research and innovation capability based on strategic priorities including world-class fundamental research, translational research and impact, and diversity and inclusion.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • 1.1 Advance knowledge by undertaking research projects, translating, and communicating our research and knowledge with the public, government, industry and partners.
  • 1.2 ANU will cultivate the next generation of global leaders by transforming the PhD experience through enhanced scholarship packages and career-building leadership programs delivered in partnership with industry and community.

Strategic goal 2: Educating for Australia's future: delivering on our students' aspiration and capability by using the power of education to unlock potential

ANU is committed to delivering a student experience that combines disciplinary depth with transdisciplinary breadth, fosters critical thinking and problem solving, and allows integrated academic and experiential learning. Over the course of this plan, the University will continue to strengthen our curriculum design and streamline programs to ensure alignment with the new University Strategy. Our approach to inclusion will be proactive and innovative. ANU will lead nationally in recruiting First Nations, regional and remote and low socioeconomic status students, offering tailored support to help every student overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.

KEY ACTIVITIES

  • 2.1 Attract and support talented, determined students from all backgrounds and every corner of Australia and the world to ensure they can thrive and succeed at ANU.
  • 2.2 Deliver the refreshed ANU Learning and Teaching Strategy and curriculum renewal, which is designed to streamline program structures and embed ANU graduate attributes.
  • 2.3 Forge enduring partnerships with industry, government and organisations across the ACT, Australia and the region to provide students with real-world experiences.

Values

· 7

Academic freedom and integrity

Fairness and justice

Respecting, celebrating and learning from First Nations Peoples

Safety and wellbeing

Truth-seeking, transparency and accountability

Inclusion, equity and diversity

Respectful collegiality

Performance measures

· 10

CodeMeasureTarget 2025-26Latest resultStatus

KPI 1

Research income

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.11

$236 million in research grants and consultancy funding in 2023

Annual Report 2025 · p.16
Achieved

KPI 2

Field Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI)

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.11

Annual Report 2025

KPI 3

Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidate success

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.11

HDR overall completions and on-time completion rates assessed

Annual Report 2025 · p.31
Achieved

KPI 4

Higher Degree Research (HDR) candidate experience

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.11

Annual Report 2025

KPI 5a

Domestic commencing enrolments

Ensure Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) enrolments do not exceed the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) allocation, in line with funding and regulatory requirements

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.12

24,522 enrolled students with 51% undergraduates

Annual Report 2025 · p.18
Achieved

KPI 5b

International commencing enrolments

Remain sustainably within the 2026 New Overseas Student Commencements (NOSC) target in line with market diversification commitments

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.12

Annual Report 2025

KPI 5c

Commencing equity enrolments

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.13

Annual Report 2025

KPI 6

Coursework student experience

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.13

78% of undergraduate students were satisfied with the quality of their entire educational experience

Annual Report 2025 · p.18
Achieved

KPI 7

Student retention and completion rates

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.13

Annual Report 2025

KPI 8

Graduate employment

Maintain or improve previous year's result

Corporate Plan 2026 · p.13

75% undergraduate; 89% postgraduate coursework full-time employment for domestic graduates

Annual Report 2025 · p.18
Achieved

Ideas distilled from this entity's strategy & evidence

· 11

Regulation & Policy

Optimize research funding allocation

Implement a dynamic funding allocation model based on real-time project progress and outcomes.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.15]

Regulation & Policy

Adopt Harvard's research integrity framework

Implement Harvard Kennedy School's research integrity framework to enhance transparency and accountability.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

university-ash.harvard.edu-Harvard-Kennedy-School-Ash-Center.txt [GI p.12]

Education

Expand doctoral program capacity

Increase the number of available PhD positions by 25% over the next two years.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2026.pdf [CP p.9]

Citizen Participation

Student feedback dashboard

Build a public dashboard showing weekly active student feedback counts by department.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2024.pdf [AR p.20]

Education

Boost international student engagement

Develop targeted engagement programs to increase international student satisfaction scores by 15%.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.18]

Education

Adopt Singapore's academic excellence model

Implement Singapore's model for academic excellence to enhance teaching quality and research output.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

university-ash.harvard.edu-Harvard-Kennedy-School-Ash-Center.txt [GI p.20]

Regulation & Policy

Enhance sustainability initiatives

Doubling the current sustainability initiatives budget to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2026.pdf [CP p.10]

Data & Performance

Research data sharing portal

Create a centralized portal for sharing and accessing research data across departments.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.22]

Education

Improve teaching quality metrics

Implement targeted interventions to improve teaching quality scores by 20%.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.19]

Governance

Adopt Deloitte governance model

Implement Deloitte’s governance model to enhance decision-making and accountability.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

consulting-deloitte.com-government-public.txt [GI p.15]

Education

Establish innovation fund

Create an innovation fund to support cutting-edge research projects and startups.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

2026.pdf [CP p.11]

Regulation & Policy

Optimize research funding allocation

Implement a dynamic funding allocation model based on real-time project progress and outcomes.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.15]

Regulation & Policy

Adopt Harvard's research integrity framework

Implement Harvard Kennedy School's research integrity framework to enhance transparency and accountability.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

university-ash.harvard.edu-Harvard-Kennedy-School-Ash-Center.txt [GI p.12]

Education

Expand doctoral program capacity

Increase the number of available PhD positions by 25% over the next two years.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2026.pdf [CP p.9]

Citizen Participation

Student feedback dashboard

Build a public dashboard showing weekly active student feedback counts by department.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Small

2024.pdf [AR p.20]

Education

Boost international student engagement

Develop targeted engagement programs to increase international student satisfaction scores by 15%.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.18]

Education

Adopt Singapore's academic excellence model

Implement Singapore's model for academic excellence to enhance teaching quality and research output.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

university-ash.harvard.edu-Harvard-Kennedy-School-Ash-Center.txt [GI p.20]

Regulation & Policy

Enhance sustainability initiatives

Doubling the current sustainability initiatives budget to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

2026.pdf [CP p.10]

Data & Performance

Research data sharing portal

Create a centralized portal for sharing and accessing research data across departments.

Impact: Medium
Effort: Low
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.22]

Education

Improve teaching quality metrics

Implement targeted interventions to improve teaching quality scores by 20%.

Impact: High
Effort: Medium
Medium

2024.pdf [AR p.19]

Governance

Adopt Deloitte governance model

Implement Deloitte’s governance model to enhance decision-making and accountability.

Impact: High
Effort: High
Large

consulting-deloitte.com-government-public.txt [GI p.15]

Education

Establish innovation fund

Create an innovation fund to support cutting-edge research projects and startups.

Impact: Very High
Effort: High
Large

2026.pdf [CP p.11]

Legislation administered

· 3

Act

1991

The Australian National University Act 1991

The entity administers this Act which outlines its primary functions.

Act

2013

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013

The entity complies with this Act for corporate planning and reporting.

Rule

2014

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014

The entity adheres to this Rule for corporate planning requirements.

Want the full analysis?

Download this month's report covering Australian National University