Delivered by Mr Luke Sheehy, Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer

***Check against delivery***

Thank you Mr Machlachlan.

It’s a privilege to be here with you all on behalf of Australia’s 39 universities for the fourth DFAT University Forum as Chief Executive Officer of Universities Australia.

First, I’d like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to elders past and present.

I also want to extend my thanks to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Secretary, International Security, Legal and Consular Group, Craig Machlachlan, Head of Regulatory and Legal Division Julie Heckscher and her team for convening this important forum.

These occasions are incredibly significant and valuable in strengthening and deepening the relationship between universities and government.

It is important that we all come together in the same room, engage in open dialogue, and share information and insights.

This fosters trust, collaboration, and builds connections, helping us work toward shared goals that benefit both our communities and future generations.

As we face significant global challenges, such as geopolitical uncertainty, digitisation, and demographic shifts, universities, working closely with government and agencies like DFAT, have an essential role to play in addressing these issues.

Education plays an important role as we navigate a changing strategic environment.

Australian universities, in particular, are at the forefront when it comes to international education.

Our sector is world-class, attracting students from more than 140 countries, acting as a bridge between nations and acting as a major export earner for our country.

And as we watch the increasing global uncertainty unfolding before us at the moment, this task has never been more important.

Policy changes to limit the flow of international students to our shores put all of this at risk.

We must carefully consider the unintended consequences of these changes.

As a country, we are reliant on international students to support national priorities – in the delivery of quality healthcare, in building new infrastructure, and in driving a strong economy.

We have spent too long building a world-class international education sector, which serves Australia’s interests, to let it go to waste.

Domestically, our universities are crucial in achieving national priorities.

They educate Australians to ensure our economy has the skilled workforce it needs to grow and respond to current, emerging and future challenges.

And the research we do, here and abroad, cannot be underestimated.

We have so many valuable international collaborations.

These partnerships enhance the quality of our research, foster innovation, help us tackle global challenges and address complex issues – from climate change, health crises and food security to economic and geopolitical stabilisation.

We understand that this does not come without risks.

But we also understand the risk of not collaborating.

Researchers in Australia are working with their international peers to solve our biggest challenges and embrace new opportunities.

From curing disease to calming conflict, they are helping on a global scale.

It’s in our national interest to continue strengthening our ties, and we can do that through research collaborations and through our universities.

Through education, research, and innovation, our universities help enhance both multilateral and bilateral ties, building partnerships based on shared priorities and challenges.

These collaborations make our region stronger, safer, more sustainable and more successful.

The challenge we face is ensuring the continued role universities play in shaping Australia’s place in the world through engagement, while also managing risks and protecting Australia’s national security.

Today, we will receive an update on the foreign arrangements scheme legislative review, an area of significant interest for many universities in the room.

This scheme has been resource intensive, but we welcomed the openness in which DFAT received feedback on the scheme at the last forum and the way in which former Secretary of the Department of Finance Rosemary Huxtable sought input throughout her independent review.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with the government as we enter this next phase of the scheme.

On the other side of the federal election, it’s imperative that whoever forms government maintains their support of, and commitment to working with universities.

We have a shared role in delivering a better future for Australia.

And forums like this one today are an important part of ensuring that we can work together successfully for the benefit of all Australians.

Forums like this one are a big part of that.

Thank you and enjoy the day.