Although eternally debated, the issue of autonomy in higher education is rarely analysed in its complexity. To address this issue, this article uses an analytical matrix which combines the distinction between substantive and procedural autonomy and the distinction between HEI governing bodies, academic professions and individual academics. This framework allows for analysing--by the example of the Swiss academic labour market--how changes in national steering can lead to the redistribution of autonomy between the mentioned actors. Further insights relate to the observed higher education system's decentralised character. Empirical findings--based on the examination of three special programmes initiated by the federal government--indicate that HEI actors lose some substantive autonomy in favour of the Confederation, and--against the general tendency induced by New Public Management to reinforce HEI governing bodies--procedural autonomy is rather redistributed to individual academics and academic professions. (Contains 12 notes and 1 table.)