The Abbott government is considering taking control of the governance of Australian universities, relieving state governments of the responsibility.

A spokesman for Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne has confirmed the federal government is in talks with the O'Farrell Government about the governance of NSW universities.

Christopher Pyne's office has confirmed the Abbott government is in talks with the O’Farrell government about the governance of NSW universities. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Under the plan, laws that govern universities in NSW would reportedly begin to be passed by the federal Parliament.

The Abbott government is also reportedly preparing to relieve the NSW government of billions of dollars worth of unfunded obligations for superannuation schemes run by NSW universities.