The Growing Influence of Religious Institutions in Australian Higher Education

ACT to Rebrand as Australian University of Theology After Multi-Year Review

The Australian College of Theology (ACT), the largest provider of theological education in Australia, has been granted university status, becoming the country’s 44th university. This follows a lengthy appeals process and highlights the growing influence of smaller religious institutions. ACT, to be renamed the Australian University of Theology, is the third religious institution to gain university status since 2020. Teqsa confirmed the decision after a multi-year review, deeming ACT’s research quality sufficient for university status.

The Australian College of Theology (ACT) aims to equip individuals to "faithfully serve God’s church and God’s world" through ministry, theology, and Christian studies programs. Dean and CEO Professor James Dalziel expressed satisfaction with the formal recognition of the college's efforts. With around 2,500 students across 16 affiliated colleges in Australia and New Zealand, ACT offers courses such as A Christian Perspective on the History of Science, Evangelistic Preaching, and Sexuality and Identity. Associate Professor Gwilym Croucher of the University of Melbourne noted that there are no clear answers on which institutions should receive university status, as the title is interpreted differently across countries and eras. He highlighted that early Australian universities excluded theology but acknowledged ongoing theological scholarship. Croucher also expressed concerns about the market power granted by the "university" title.

Croucher suggested that the elevation of religious institutions to university status may be linked to their long histories, citing the Australian Catholic University as complicating the debate on university secularism. He questioned whether it’s fair to deny theological institutions university status and emphasized the need to preserve the value of the title while recognizing institutions doing good work. He also expressed interest in whether new universities without long histories will emerge. Founded by the Church of England in 1891, the Australian College of Theology (ACT) gained self-accrediting authority in 2010 and sought university status in 2016. After an initial rejection, ACT was registered as a university college in 2022 following a government review. Teqsa cited "new evidence" for the upgrade, and half of the eight new university colleges created under the reforms are religious institutions, including Sydney College of Divinity and Alphacrucis University College.

In October 2024, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) ruled that the Australian College of Theology (ACT) met the criteria for university registration, pending consultation with state and territory education ministers, who did not oppose the change. Teqsa had initially argued ACT’s research did not meet university standards, noting the significant distinction that the title holds internationally. Theological college countered that despite limited funding for religious studies, it had still produced "world standard" research, as university colleges like ACT do not receive federal research block grants or compete for grants from bodies like the Australian Research Council.

With its new registration, the college plans to rename itself the Australian University of Theology (AUT) and seek government research funding. However, it reported a net loss of $578,000 in 2023, mainly due to tribunal-related legal costs, and a 30% drop in enrolments over the past five years, an ongoing challenge for the theology sector. Professor James Dalziel stated that despite reaching a new milestone, the institution's focus should remain on its mission to "faithfully equip people to serve God’s church and God’s world." Independent Higher Education Australia congratulated ACT on its achievement, with CEO Dr Peter Hendy praising it as a "valued contributor and leader" in Australia’s independent higher education sector. The Australian College of Theology’s new status as a university marks a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of higher education, reflecting the growing recognition of religious institutions' contributions to Australia's academic and cultural fabric.

Editor's Note:

The Australian College of Theology’s recent elevation to university status represents a milestone for religious institutions in higher education. This shift reflects both the changing dynamics of academia and the growing influence of theological education in Australia. As ACT continues to expand its role and influence, the conversation surrounding university status and its implications for the sector will undoubtedly evolve. This development opens new avenues for collaboration, innovation, and growth, not only for ACT but for theological education as a whole. It signifies a progressive step towards embracing diverse forms of knowledge and learning, enriching the educational ecosystem in Australia and beyond.

Skoobuzz views this milestone as both a testament to the institution's achievements and a sign of its future contributions to higher education.