Governance

The TEC is a Crown entity established under section 159C of the Education Act 1989. It is governed by a Board of Commissioners which is appointed by, and responsible to, the Minister for Tertiary Education. The TEC has independent statutory powers related to planning and approval of Government funding for individual tertiary education organisations. The TEC operates within strategic and policy frameworks set by the Government under Part 13A of the Education Act 1989. Under the Crown Entities Act 2004, the TEC is a Crown Agent which must give effect to Government policy when directed by the Minister for Tertiary Education.

The functions of the TEC are stated in section 159F of the Education Act 1989 and include:

• providing policy advice to the Minister for Tertiary Education
• operating the tertiary funding system generally
• monitoring the performance of tertiary education organisations.

In addition, the TEC must:

• comply with any direction of the Minister
• work closely with the stakeholders of tertiary education providers and industry training organisations
• work closely with tertiary education providers and industry training organisations.

Ministers

• Hon Anne Tolley, Minister for Tertiary Education
• Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Associate Minister for Tertiary Education
• Hon Pita Sharples, Associate Minister of Education

Legislation

• Education Act 1989 No 80 (as at 17 December 2008), Public Act
• Industry Training Act 1992 No 55 (as at 01 January 2008), Public Act
• Modern Apprenticeship Training Act 2000 No 94 (as at 03 September 2007), Public Act