The CHE is mandated to provide independent, research-based advice to the Minister of Higher Education and Training on matters relating to higher education, either at the request of the Minister or proactively.

Reactive advice is only made public after the Minister has had the opportunity to respond to this advice. The CHE has provided advice on the following issues:

• The Establishment of a new Public Higher Education Institution and the Incorporation of the Medunsa Campus of the University of Limpopo into the new Public Higher Education Institution, August 2011
• The Establishment of New Universities in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape, December 2011
• The Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, October 2007
• The National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development, April 2007
• The Policy on Distance Education, March 2004

Proactive advice has been provided on the following issues:

• Advice to the Minister of Higher Education and Training on the Reform of the Undergraduate Curriculum in Higher Education December 2014 
• Advice to the Minister of Higher Education and Training on the Status and Location of Public Colleges March 2013 
• The barriers to equity of student access, opportunity and outcomes in higher education
• The funding and financing of higher education
• The macro implementation of institutional restructuring and its impact, outcomes and consequences

The CHE also responds to requests for public comment on relevant higher education policy:

• Submission on the Higher Education and Training Laws Amendment Bill to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, October 2012