Academic boards play a key role in the maintenance of quality standards and the provision of strategic leadership on academic issues. The current research investigated the role provided at present to Australian universities through their academic boards. All universities described their academic boards as their principal academic body. The majority of the academic boards said in their terms of reference that they should spend most of their time and energy on activities associated with policy (including approving and implementing policy) and quality assurance. These activities are "internally focused". Most of the academic boards did not think they should spend time being "externally focused". External quality audits reported that most concentrated on activities associated with policy (including approving and implementing policy) and quality assurance. These activities are "internally focused". Most of the academic boards were not seen to be spending time being "externally focused".