Universities get new quality standards

Universities will be required to give students information in plain English before they enrol under new standards set by the federal government.

They'll also be measured on how they are delivering a quality experience and less on filling out paperwork, federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said in a statement on Tuesday.

The tertiary sector will have a year to comply with the new guidelines once they take effect from January 1, 2017.

Universities said the new requirements will cut down on their administrative burden and allow them to better support students.

"The new standards provide an effective and flexible framework for 21st century universities," Universities Australia chief executive Belinda Robinson said in a statement.