The Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997) is legislation that regulates higher education as well as provides for:

• to regulate higher education
• to provide for the establishment, composition and functions of a Council on Higher Education
• to provide for the establishment, governance and funding of public higher education institutions
• to provide for the appointment and functions of an independent assessor
• to provide for the registration of private higher education institutions
• to provide for quality assurance and quality promotion in higher education
• to provide for transitional arrangements and the repeal of certain laws
• to provide for matters connected therewith.