MortarCAPS and the Australian Access Federation formalise strategic collaboration to advance data and identity interoperability

14 November 2025

MEDIA RELEASE

MortarCAPS (MCDS) and the Australian Access Federation (AAF) have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen national collaboration on data governance and identity interoperability across Australia's higher education sector.

Under the agreement the AAF will partner with MCDS to support sector-wide alignment on identity and access management best practices, providing strategic guidance to enhance data access and sharing across the sector.

Together, the AAF and MCDS will collaborate through working groups, share research and pilot implementations, and enable sector-wide dialogue.

Both organisations have committed to mutual recognition: AAF will endorse MCDS as a sector-relevant model, while MCDS will incorporate AAF subscriber needs into its data governance framework.

Charlsey Pearce, MCDS Chief Executive Officer says, "This partnership will empower higher education institutions by simplifying complex systems and enabling system-wide data access and sharing, thereby fostering innovation, and supporting national and global reporting requirements."

Pearce added, "Our focus is on building a learning-centric future — one where trusted data and intelligent systems converge to recognise and support individual learner growth across a lifetime. This collaboration strengthens that foundation."

She continued, "AI has the potential to transform how learners engage with their education, from personalised pathways to adaptive recognition of capability. But for AI to work safely and fairly, it needs a harmonised, interoperable data environment — and that's precisely what we're advancing with AAF."

Pearce also highlighted the broader systemic goal: "Tertiary harmonisation isn't just a technical ambition; it's about creating a national learning ecosystem where universities, TAFEs, and private providers can exchange verified learner data with confidence. When we align our frameworks, we empower people, not just systems."

Heath Marks, AAF's Chief Executive Officer says, "This partnership marks a significant step towards more connected, secure, and interoperable higher education infrastructure for Australia.

"It is pivotal in aligning and strengthening a sector-wide approach for identity and access management best practice across Australia's higher education and research landscape.

"Current cyber threats to Australian data, particularly in the higher education sector, mean that a system-wide standard to trusted access is critical. Cybersecurity starts with trusted identity."

Media Contact:
Kerry Mora (AAF) – [email protected]
Gemma Williams (MCDS) – [email protected]