The main purpose of the group is to undertake advocacy on issues related to higher education policy, research and university students.
In 2003, a group of universities sharing common origins established the Innovative Research Universities a collaborative network to enhance the outcomes of higher education.
These additions were balanced as first Macquarie (2008) and then Newcastle (2014) left the group to pursue their future independently.
[8] The group collectively attracts A$415 million per annum in research funding from national research agencies, industry and public sector agencies including local and state governments.
[9][10] The members are core partners in half of all Australian Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs).