The South African Council on Higher Education (CHE) is an independent statutory body established by the Higher Education Act (Act No. 101 of 1997, as amended). As the Quality Council for Higher Education in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act (Act No. 67 of 2008, as amended), it advises the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation on all higher education matters and is responsible for quality assurance and promotion through the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC)

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) was established by the Higher Education Act of 1997 as an independent statutory body. That Act conferred two major areas of responsibility on the Council. The first was the mandate to advise the Minister of Higher Education and Training (or the Minister of Education at the time) on all matters of higher education in order to further the goals of equity and quality in the system, and to help it respond to economic and social development needs

The CHE has executive responsibility for quality assurance and promotion and discharges this responsibility through the establishment of a permanent committee (as required by the Higher Education Act), the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).