“International education is one of Australia’s great success stories – it’s the bridge between us and the world,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.

“We need certainty, stability and growth in a sector that serves the nation in so many ways.

“Decades of careful and strategic work by universities and the Government has seen Australia grow to be a leading provider of international education. We can’t let this work go to waste.

“International education supports our foreign policy objectives, fosters greater international collaboration and is a major economic driver for the nation.

“The sector contributed $48 billion to the economy last year, accounting for over half of Australia’s economic growth and supporting the vital work our universities do on behalf of all Australians.

“Stability and growth in the sector is essential for our prosperity and to ensure universities can meet the nation’s skills needs and continue helping the Government to deliver national priorities.

“We will be working closely with the Government to co-design the policy settings needed to give the international education sector a strong and sustainable footing from which to grow into the future.”