In 2024, Performance Agreements between the HEA and designated institutions of higher education were established in accordance with the System Performance Framework 2023–2028.

Performance Agreements are the mutually agreed basis for reporting on and strategic review of an institution’s performance. This review takes the form of an annual Strategy and Performance Dialogue process that consists of three components:

• HEI Impact Assessment Case Studies (IACS)
• HEI Self-Evaluation Reports (SERs)
• HEI–HEA Strategy and Performance Dialogue meetings

The Strategy and Performance Dialogue process for 2025–2028 (pdf) was designed following a multi-stage consultation with HEIs and is responsive to learning from previous framework processes. Revisions to the process for 2025–2028 include:

• Fixed reporting schedule and templates to support HEI planning.
• Revised Impact Assessment Case Study process to support enhanced transparency and learning.
• Revised Self-Evaluation Report template to capture HEI evaluation of and strategic reflection on performance.
• Direct engagement with the HEA Executive in Strategy and Performance Dialogue meetings to enable a discussion informed by national strategy and policy.
• Facility to request modifications to Performance Agreements to support responsiveness to changes in institutional strategy and/or national policy.

Performance Agreements span the period September 2024 to August 2028 and reporting and review of institutions’ performance under the System Performance Framework 2023–2028 occurs in 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. An indicative schedule for the annual reporting and review cycle is outlined below.

Table 1: Strategy and Performance Dialogue process annual cycle schedule 2025–2028

Further information on the process can be found in the Strategy and Performance Dialogue 2025–2028 Information Pack (pdf).