Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has shelved a planned taskforce that would scrutinise university responses to sexual assault and harassment on campus.

Correspondence seen by Fairfax Media reveals the previous minister, Simon Birmingham, was "so close" to announcing the taskforce before the coup against Malcolm Turnbull and the subsequent cabinet reshuffle.

Education Minister Dan Tehan says he will wait for a review before deciding whether to proceed with the taskforce. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Activists had pushed for the new body as a way to hold universities accountable following reports of ongoing sexual assault, harassment and humiliating hazing rituals at residential colleges.

Mr Tehan has not dumped the idea entirely but says he will wait for a report from the regulator - the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency - before deciding whether to proceed.