“The strategy defines three pillars of international education and six achievable goals to underpin Australia continuing to be a destination of choice for students, teachers and researchers,’ said Chief Executive of Universities Australia, Belinda Robinson.

Universities Australia particularly welcomes the broad reach of the strategy into all aspects of our global teaching and research engagement.

“If we achieve the goals outlined in the draft strategy, all Australian university graduates will be true global citizens – able to compete for the best jobs all over the world,” Ms Robinson said.

“We are particularly pleased to see a commitment to investment in collaborative research and research infrastructure and look forward to seeing this reflected in the coming Federal Budget. The ability to produce high quality collaborative research is critical for cementing our position as one of the best higher education systems in the world.

“The inclusion of a goal specifically focussed on improving the quality of the educational and living experience for international students is also strongly supported by Universities Australia.

“In particular we need to ensure international students have access to affordable accommodation, receive transport concessions equal to domestic students and have genuine opportunities to undertake relevant work experience.”

Ms Robinson said it was important that the strategy also recognised the needs of Australian students in internationalising our education and research.

“We acknowledge the work of Australian universities and the Government through the longstanding Endeavour scholarship programme and the flagship New Colombo Plan in supporting the international mobility of Australian students. This work has been supported by Universities Australia through the World-Class initiative.”

“The sector also supports the strategy’s ambition to broaden international engagement beyond traditional partner countries and would like to see an increase in support for the global education counsellor network with emerging regions such as Latin America and the Middle East,” Ms Robinson said.

Universities Australia looks forward to working with governments, students and industry in refining this draft strategy to best support Australian international education and research.