Universities Australia has been strongly advocating for the establishment of a whole-of-government ministerially-led Council as an immediate priority to support the development of the Strategy.

Deputy Chief Executive of Universities Australia, Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown, said that coordination, consistency and collaboration are the keys to ensuring the Strategy is a success.

“By bringing all relevant Government ministers together and sitting the experts around the table, we now have the firepower needed to strengthen and expand the sector as well as deepening international collaboration.

“This whole-of-government and whole-of-sector approach is essential to ensure the continued success of our international education services and the ongoing internationalisation of our education and research agenda.

“Universities Australia is delighted to have a seat on the Council, and is very supportive of the broad mix of membership that goes beyond the education sector to also incorporate business.”

The external membership of the council consists of:

• The Hon Phil Honeywood — CEO, International Education Association of Australia.

• Ms Kate Carnell AO — CEO, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

• Ms Belinda Robinson — Chief Executive, Universities Australia.

• Ms Sue Blundell — Executive Director, English Australia.

• Mr Bill Spurr AO — Chair, Education Adelaide.

• Mr Malcolm White — Acting CEO, TAFE Directors Australia.

“The next vital step is the announcement of concrete actions supported by adequate funding for the implementation of the various aspects of the plan to ensure momentum is maintained,” Ms Lansdown said.

“The two Council roundtables, on 18 June and 13 August, will be pivotal in delivering on this action plan.”

Ms Lansdown said international education is important as Australia’s third largest export, but its benefits go way beyond its economic contribution.

“International education plays a fundamental role in enhancing Australia’s cultural diversity in both our student population and in the community,” Ms Lansdown said.

“The long term relationships benefit our universities and our nation more broadly by enhancing our role in the region and the world.

“We have no time to waste, as the Draft Strategy clearly outlines, the market in international education services is ever more competitive,” Ms Lansdown said.