The Australian Financial Review Higher Education Summit 2026, themed "Degrees of Change," takes place on Tuesday 18 August 2026 at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. Presented by the Financial Review in partnership with Technology, the summit confronts what it frames as the biggest shake-up to Australia's universities in decades — threats to international student revenue, rising operating costs, intensifying funding pressures, geopolitical scrutiny of researchers, and questions over governance, freedom of speech, regulation and the AI disruption to traditional teaching and research. It sits against the federal government's target of 80% of the working-age population holding a tertiary qualification by 2050. Moderated and curated by AFR journalists, the one-day event brings together university leaders, policymakers and global experts. It runs in conjunction with the Financial Review Higher Education Awards, celebrated that same evening, with bundled tickets available. Early bird registration closes Tuesday 7 July 2026.