Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the new deals will facilitate more opportunities for Australian exporters with two of our most significant trading partners, helping grow two-way trade and driving economic growth and prosperity.

“Education is one of Australia’s biggest export earners, adding more than $40 billion to the economy in 2019 and generating enormous social returns,” Ms Jackson said.

“The benefits of trade agreements like this reach far into our communities.

“Australia is already a close partner of India and the United Kingdom, with deep education and research ties binding us.

“Increasing trade with these nations will enable our institutions to attract more international students and boost the already strong links we have.

“Australia has over 450 formal partnerships with India and around 550 with the United Kingdom, covering research, exchange and mobility programs and scholarships.

“Our nations will benefit from greater collaboration between universities as we prepare and respond to new and emerging challenges and opportunities in our geopolitical and natural environments.

“We hope to see these new free trade agreements finalised quickly so that the economic, social and cultural benefits can flow rapidly to all Australians.”