New Commissioners appointed to the Australian Tertiary Education Commission

Professor Tom Calma AO and the Hon Fiona Nash have been appointed commissioners of the interim Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC). 

Professor Calma is the new acting First Nations Commissioner. Professor Calma brings more than four decades of leadership in human rights, social justice and higher education to the role, including as Chancellor of the University of Canberra (2014–2023) and Professor of Practice (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Sydney.

The Hon Fiona Nash was a member of the Australian Universities Accord Panel and is the Regional Education Commissioner. She is a former Minister for Regional Development, Regional Communications and Local Government and Territories and previously held senior roles in regional engagement and government relations at Charles Sturt University.

They will join existing commissioner Professor Barney Glover AO, who has been appointed acting Chief Commissioner. Professor Glover is the current JSA Commissioner and a former Vice-Chancellor at several Australian universities.

Recruitment of the statutory ATEC Commissioners has commenced, with applications due on 29 January 2026. Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, statutory Commissioner appointments will be announced in due course.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“The Universities Accord is a blueprint for reform of our higher education system for the next decade and beyond.

“Professor Glover, Professor Calma and Fiona Nash are outstanding leaders who with their deep knowledge and expertise will continue driving the reforms we need to make the Accord real.”