Media Archive

Universities Australia looks forward to engaging with the Government to help establish its Startup Year program and support the next generation of Australian entrepreneurs to drive economic growth.

Topics: Australia’s education relationship with India

Universities Australia welcomes the Government’s decision to update Australia’s science and research priorities.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson will join a delegation of industry leaders on a visit to India this week to strengthen and increase trade and investment links between our nations.

Universities Australia welcomes the Government’s announcement of an expert panel to look at teacher education.

Australia’s world-class universities are key to ensuring our nation meets its new climate targets, following the passage of the Government’s Climate Change Bill 2022 through the Senate.

The Government’s decision to increase post-study work rights for international students is a much-needed measure to address Australia’s critical skills shortage and grow our economy.

Recording date: Friday, 2 September 2022
Topics: Skills shortages, skilled migration, visa processing, international students

Recording date: Friday, 2 September 2022
Topics: Jobs and Skills Summit, skilled migration, additional TAFE places

Statement attributable to Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson:

Universities Australia welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement of additional, free TAFE places to ensure the workforce has the skilled people it needs.

Topics: Jobs and Skills Summit, international students, visa processing

Universities Australia has today called for an expansion of clinical placements available to students studying health-related degrees to maintain and grow Australia’s health workforce.

Universities Australia welcomes major announcements at today’s Australian Financial Review Higher Education Summit from Education Minister Jason Clare that will bolster Australia’s research and innovation system.

Universities Australia welcomes the Victorian Government’s decision to provide free university and specialist training for thousands of nurses and midwives.

Topics: Skills shortages, visa processing, international students

University students have reported an overall increase in their satisfaction with the quality of their learning experience, according to the findings of the latest Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching surveys released today.  

Topics: Skills shortages, visa processing

Topics: Skills shortages, skilled migration, international students

Universities Australia welcomes the arrival of India’s Minister of Education, the Honourable Dharmendra Pradhan as he embarks on a four-day visit of Australia.

Universities Australia today outlined how universities can help address the country’s critical skills shortage.

Universities Australia welcomes the Government’s allocation of 20,000 additional university places to tackle skill shortages and give more people from under-represented backgrounds the chance to go to university.

Vancouver, BC – Mitacs and Universities Australia are proud to announce that they have signed a renewed agreement, allowing for expanded research collaborations and mobility opportunities between the two countries.

Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister that an onshore vaccine manufacturing hub will be created at Monash University is critical to advancing Australia’s response to future health outbreaks and strengthening our sovereign capability.

Universities Australia welcomes the development of a national action plan to deliver long-term solutions to address Australia’s teachers’ shortage.

Topic: National teacher shortage

Topics: National teachers’ shortage

As the country faces a teachers’ shortage, Universities Australia has prepared a range of practical solutions to attract and retain the best and brightest.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said:

“We applaud the action taken by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency to block access to 40 of the most visited academic cheating websites.

Australia’s universities are playing leading roles in responding to Indonesia’s foot-and-mouth outbreak – supporting our neighbours and helping stop the spread of the disease.

Universities Australia welcomes the Productivity Commission’s interim report released today that places universities at the centre of dealing with the nation’s productivity problem.

Universities Australia welcomes the creation of Jobs and Skills Australia to support a highly-skilled workforce and strong economy.

Universities Australia welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to addressing visa processing delays as a crucial step in meeting the needs of a productive economy.

Topics: Universities Australia Conference, skills shortages, international education reputation, visa processing, policy priorities

Universities Australia welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement today that a jobs and skills summit will be held this September.  

*CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY*

Thank you to the National Press Club for hosting Australia’s universities today.

Topics: Latest census data, skills shortages, sector priorities

“The New South Wales and Victorian Governments’ early education commitment today is an important step towards giving kids the best start possible and supporting working families,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said.

Universities Australia today called for ordinary Australians to have their say and vote for their choice in the People’s Choice Pitch it clever awards.

Universities Australia, in partnership with the National Press Club of Australia, has today called for entries for the Higher Education Media Awards.

Universities Australia congratulates Jason Clare on his appointment as Minister for Education, chief executive Catriona Jackson said.

Universities Australia congratulates the Hon Peter Dutton on his election as Liberal leader, and the Hon David Littleproud as Nationals leader chief executive Catriona Jackson said.

Universities Australia congratulates Professor Glyn Davis AC on his appointment as Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, chief executive Catriona Jackson said.

Universities Australia congratulates Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on last night’s result.

Topics: HELP Loan, importance of university education

Universities Australia’s annual Pitch it clever competition is now open for early-career researchers to share their brightest ideas with the nation.

Data released today confirms the critical role universities play in ensuring Australia continues to benefit from our world class research system.

By Universities Australia Chair Professor John Dewar

Topics: universities’ contribution to national productivity; meeting the demand for university places in the future

Topics: universities’ contribution to national productivity; meeting the demand for university places in the future

Australia’s economy could be $24 billion bigger over 10 years if investment in higher education research and development was lifted by just one per cent, according to Universities Australia’s submission to the Productivity Commission.

“UA congratulates Ms Judi Zielke PSM on her appointment today as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Council,” said Universities Australia’s Chief Executive Catriona Jackson.

“We welcome the release today of the National Research Infrastructure Roadmap, which acknowledges the centrality of research to Australia’s future prosperity,” Universities Australia’s Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said.

Universities Australia welcomes the signing of a historic trade deal between India and Australia as a significant step forward in fostering stronger relations with one of our nation’s largest export markets as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Universities Australia have united with the University Chancellors Council today to release the UA policy platform, setting out a path for the university sector to play its fullest role in helping solve the nation’s biggest challenges and secure Australia’s future.

The Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill which passed in Parliament today will boost the security and resilience of Australia’s critical infrastructure.

Universities Australia notes the recommendations released today by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) in response to the threat of foreign interference in Australia’s universities.

Attributable to Universities Australia’s Chair Professor John Dewar AO.

Universities Australia has welcomed the establishment of a special taskforce on qualifications recognition between Australia and India as further proof of the strength of the bilateral education relationship between the two countries.

Opening statement by Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson to the PJCIS Review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022.

Universities Australia’s Plenary – representing the nation’s 39 comprehensive universities – agreed on the following statement to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee on the Australian Research Council Amendment (Ensuring Research Independence) Bill 2018.

Universities Australia is proud to launch its second whole-of-sector strategy to strengthen the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s universities.

Topics covered: Research funding priorities, safe return to campus, freedom of speech and academic freedom, gender equity, student safety, and the upcoming federal election
Date recorded: 22 February 2022

Today’s release of the Next Steps: Report of the Quality Initial Teacher Education review recognises the vital role the university sector plays in equipping teachers with the high-quality skills they will need to ensure students receive the tools to meet the challenges of the future.

Universities Australia is proud to celebrate the work of some of the nation’s best university educators in the 2021 Australian Awards for University Teaching.

Universities will be better equipped to intervene early to help prevent the devastating impact of suicide in their communities thanks to a framework released today by Universities Australia and Suicide Prevention Australia.

Universities Australia warmly welcomes the safe return of students from home and abroad onto campuses across the country as we prepare for the beginning of semester one.

The Government has today recognised the central role that universities and university research plays in Australia’s prosperity and recovery, with the Prime Minister’s announcement of an extra $1.6 billion to advance research commercialisation.

Australian employers have recorded their highest ever levels of satisfaction with the skills of university graduates and their ability to make an immediate impact in the workplace, latest official data finds.

Universities Australia welcomes the Government’s announcement of visa fee rebates for international students arriving into Australia from today for the next eight weeks.

Universities Australia notes the measures reaffirmed in today’s release of the 2021-22 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook that relate to the higher education sector.

Read our statement here.

International students will touch down in Australia from today, marking a significant milestone for those returning and their universities.

Universities Australia has welcomed recommendations aimed at building on partnerships between industry and the higher education sector, following today’s release of the University-Industry Collaboration in Teaching and Learning Review.

Universities Australia welcomes the focus on skills and participation in today’s ALP tertiary education policy announcement.

Universities Australia has acknowledged the release of the Federal Government’s 10-year whole-of-sector international education strategy as a step towards recovery.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson today welcomed the Federal Government’s Trailblazer Universities Initiative which will invest $242.7 million in collaborative research.

Universities Australia has welcomed today’s Federal Government announcement that international students and other eligible visa holders will be able to return to Australia from 1 December without applying for a travel exemption.

Universities Australia welcomes the first Singaporean passengers, including international students, who arrived in Australia earlier today as part of a two-way travel bubble between the two countries.

Universities Australia today welcomed the publication of revised guidelines designed to secure universities from foreign interference and maintain the openness that is essential to a robust university and research system.

International collaboration on digital health solutions, combatting superbug infections, and sustainable recycling are among projects funded this year by the Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme – an initiative of Universities Australia and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

University graduates continue to thrive in a challenging job market, according to a new analysis released today by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE).

Universities Australia welcomes the appointment of Jenny Clark as the peak body’s new Executive Director, Strategic Communications.

An electric Kombi conversion, a university giving day and COVID-19 communications are among the work recognised today as part of the Universities Australia Marketing, Communications and Development (UAMCD) Awards.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson today welcomed the pilot plan for the safe return of international students to Queensland.

Prompting thoughtful and timely conversations and connecting university staff and students with the mental health support they need is at the centre of a new initiative launched today by Universities Australia in partnership with headspace.

After an extensive search Universities Australia has appointed senior public servant Peter Chesworth as its new Deputy Chief Executive. He will succeed Anne-Marie Lansdown, who retires in November.

Short-term graduate employment rates have stabilised, and median salaries are on the rise despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest national report on graduate outcomes.

Universities Australia today welcomed the news that overseas vaccines from China and India would be recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and news from the Prime Minister that international borders may open in November.

Universities Australia today released new guidance to improve the portability of microcredentials, paving the way for Australians to flexibly learn new skills over the course of their lives and careers.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson today welcomed the announcement that New South Wales will begin to safely return offshore international students to Australian universities this December.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, the graduate employment market remains strong with 88.9 per cent of graduates in full-time work three years after completing their studies.

The 2021 National Student Safety Survey deploys today across Australian universities as a crucial step in preventing sexual violence and supporting those who have experienced it in their communities.

Universities Australia has urged the Government to move swiftly to implement its proposed reforms to the ‘Copyright Act 1968’, announced a year ago today by Communications Minister Paul Fletcher.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson welcomed the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s ‘Inquiry into Australia’s Skilled Migration Program’ which was handed down on Monday.

International students studying at Australian universities rate their experience living in the country at record high levels, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month Josh Frydenberg released the  2021 Intergenerational report (IGR). A legacy of former Treasurer Peter Costello, the five-yearly IGR analyses “the long-term sustainability of current policies and how demographic, technological and other structural trends may affect the economy and the budget over the next 40 years.” In short, what Governments decide now matters well beyond the three-year federal electoral cycle. 

Universities Australia has condemned all forms of coercion, on campus, or in the classroom, or elsewhere in the community following the release by Human Rights Watch of a new report alleging coercion of students and staff.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said:

The next generation of batteries and bionic hearing are the two winners of a major research communications competition.

Thursday will see the first major meeting of the university sector and its leadership since COVID-19 closed Australia’s international borders and upended the lives of staff, students and their communities.

The first major gathering of the university sector and its leadership since COVID-19 closed Australia’s international borders and upended the lives of students and staff begins today.

Today’s Annual General Meeting of Universities Australia has confirmed the appointment of La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor John Dewar AO as the Chair of Universities Australia.

Federal Government Budget assumptions that Australia’s borders will remain shut until mid-2022 pose very serious challenges for the nation’s universities.

Australian universities have proposed a comprehensive package of initiatives designed to strengthen universities’ role in the nation’s economic success, ahead of next week’s Federal Budget.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor John Dewar AO has been elected the next Chair of Universities Australia.

More than 30 years ago, Keith Lurie, an American researcher in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), heard a strange story. One of his patients had suffered an apparent heart attack while at home. The strange part was he was revived by his son using, of all things, a toilet plunger to compress his father’s chest.

Boosting support to make the most of university research will lead to new jobs, products and companies, and support Australia’s economic recovery.

Universities Australia today welcomed the announcement by Education Minister Alan Tudge to begin consultation on a 10-year whole-of-sector international education strategy.

Universities Australia Chair Professor Deborah Terry AO has welcomed the completion of the ‘health check review’ designed to identify opportunities for improving the effectiveness of the sector’s peak body.

Catriona Jackson, Chief Executive, Universities Australia.

Graduates have retained their high marks from employers while students have given a thumbs up to their universities for support provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Address to the National Press Club by Universities Australia Chair, Professor Deborah Terry.

Our Watch and Universities Australia, in partnership with the Victorian Government, today launch ‘Educating for Equality’, a world-leading holistic model to help universities prevent gendered violence.

University researchers provided expert commentary in 67,000 COVID-19 media stories, showing the scale of the uni-led information blitz during the pandemic.

Universities stand ready to partner with business to turn new ideas and discoveries into money spinners to support Australia’s recovery after COVID-19.

Standards of care for older Australians will improve significantly if the Royal Commission into Aged-Care recommendation to expand student placements in the sector is implemented.

Education Minister Alan Tudge today released the University Research Commercialisation consultation paper seeking feedback from universities, business and the community on how to maximise the social and economic benefits of Australia’s multi-billion-dollar university research sector.

A microbiology Associate Professor who assigns students to harvest microorganisms from their own body and scores their ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to their parents has been named the Australian University Teacher of the Year.

In studies dating back to the 1960s, researchers proved a direct link between uncertainty and stress. And if we didn’t quite believe it then, 2020 had rammed it home.

Australian universities shed at least 17,300 jobs in 2020 and lost an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue compared to 2019, according to figures released today by Universities Australia.

Universities Australia has congratulated Alan Tudge on his appointment as Minister for Education and Youth following the Federal Cabinet reshuffle announced today.

Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities have reiterated the sector’s commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of inquiry following today’s publication of the Walker report.

Universities Australia today welcomed the appointment of Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO as the new Chief Commissioner of the tertiary sector regulator.

Predicting falls among the elderly, making construction materials more durable, and using artificial intelligence to improve literacy programs in schools are among projects funded by the Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme this year.

Graduates continue to receive an employment advantage from their university education despite facing a COVID-19 recession and a weakening labour market.

A COVID-19 vaccine fundraiser, a student hardship fund appeal, and a quirky story about turning banana plantation waste into sustainable packaging are among campaigns honoured today as part of the Universities Australia Marketing, Communications and Development (UAMCD) awards.

More Australians than ever before have a university qualification, opening up opportunities for their future success.

The benefits of a university education for Indigenous students and their communities is at the heart of a new campaign to inspire more Indigenous Australians into higher education.

New parliamentary reports have echoed the university sector’s concerns on proposed international agreement laws and highlighted the need for further consultation.

Thank you for inviting us to provide evidence today. I would like to note three things briefly to assist the committee.

The profound role played by universities in Australia’s development is explored in a new book released this week.

Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson said:
“We have no objections to the legislation’s objectives of transparency. But Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Bill will not meet this goal.”

The Senate has today passed the Government’s Job-Ready Graduates Bill, following a year of unprecedented challenges for Australia’s universities.

The Government has this evening added $1 billion to the nation’s research effort, allowing universities to secure an important and continuing role in national recovery.

Universities have welcomed the Government’s decision to put an extra $326 million in the Budget for new university places, the equivalent of 12,000 new students in 2021.

A blood test for skin cancer, an early prevention program for people with Huntington’s disease and a web resource for people who, as children, were raised in out-of-home care.

A unique initiative aimed at helping universities respond to a death by suicide has been launched by Universities Australia and headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, supporting university communities to be mentally healthy.

Immediate relief is needed to support Australia’s university research and ensure investment already made in projects and facilities isn’t wasted, Universities Australia has warned in its Pre-Budget Submission to Government.

A university education continues to provide significant advantages in today’s job market with nine in ten university graduates in a full-time job within three years of graduation, the latest official data confirms.

Joint opening statement by Universities Australia, Science & Technology Australia and the Australian Academy of Science to the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Inquiry into identification of leading practices in ensuring evidence-based regulation of farm practices that impact water quality outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said:

Australia’s universities are pleased the Government has heard the sector by making changes to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020.

Universities Australia Chair Professor Deborah Terry said:

Universities acknowledge the importance of freedom of expression and academic freedom on our campuses and look forward to assisting Professor Sally Walker in her review announced by Education Minister Dan Tehan today.

Universities Australia has welcomed today’s announcement of changes to visa arrangements for existing international students.

Australia’s universities have reaffirmed their long-term commitment to prevent sexual assault and harassment, and welcomed today’s contribution from the sector’s regulator to eradicate sexual violence.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson has welcomed the opportunity for the sector to join two high-level working groups which will advise on Australia’s research capability and enhanced engagement between higher education and industry.

Australia’s universities have welcomed plans to increase domestic student participation in higher education and the commitment to indexation of Government funding, as announced by Education Minister Dan Tehan.

Universities Australia has released an overarching framework designed to help universities with the complex task of resuming face-to-face learning on campuses around the country.

Universities Australia has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a pilot program, beginning as early as next month, aimed at enabling international students to return to Australia.

Universities Australia has welcomed a new phase of the Australia–India Strategic Research Fund under the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

What will the future look like for Australia after the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Australia’s universities could lose $16 billion in revenue between now and 2023 according to new modelling by Universities Australia.

Universities today are online communities, as well as physical and intellectual communities. And that raises pressing new safety challenges for all members of university communities, including about 1.4 million students and 260,000 university staff.

Universities conducting their teaching and other functions online during COVID-19 will be able to do so more safely from today with the Toolkit for Universities, a collaboration between eSafety and Universities Australia.

Universities Australia welcomes the announcement by the Victorian Government to invest $350 million in the State’s universities to support Victoria’s economic recovery and local jobs.

Universities Australia welcomes the announcement by the New South Wales Government to fund temporary crisis accommodation for international students facing hardship due to COVID-19.

Universities and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) have identified a set of time limited variations to enterprise agreements to support the viability of universities responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

A new report to the Federal Government provides compelling evidence for strong and sustained support for Australia’s research workforce.

Universities Australia welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement of a three-step plan to re-open the Australian economy.

IVF. A cervical cancer vaccine. Shatter proof car wing mirrors. The bionic ear.

Universities Australia has called on Government to prioritise investment in university research vital to Australia’s economic and social development as new modelling projects up to 38 per cent of university research salaries could be at risk.

The National Cabinet meeting today (1 May 2020) is an important opportunity for all levels of government to recognise the significant contribution international students make to Australia’s world-class education sector and wider economy.

Universities Australia welcomes the announcement by the Victorian Government to establish a $45 million support package for international students facing hardship due to COVID-19.

Before most shops closed their doors, I made a dash with my 12-year-old daughter to buy new jeans.
I thought we’d just fly into the jeans shop, grab two pairs, and be out, but we arrived to be confronted by a blithering array of styles, colours and sizes.

Universities Australia welcomes announcements by Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia that they will support hardship funds designed to help international students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Universities Australia (UA) has welcomed the South Australian Government’s $13.8 million plan to assist the State’s international students facing hardship.

Universities Australia (UA) has welcomed the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government’s jobs plan that will give priority to those in most need and are ineligible for existing Federal Government support.

Universities Australia has welcomed the Government’s commitment to guarantee Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS) and HELP funding payments for 2020 as an important first step in ensuring the viability of the nation’s universities. 

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the sector was working with state governments, schools and its own Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) to ensure Year 12s have a clear path to university in 2021.

Six months. That is the minimum length of time our Prime Minister has told us to expect the coronavirus restrictions to last.

Australia’s 39 universities have warned their ability to contribute to national recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic will be weakened without Government support.

Universities Australia has appointed Peter Lloyd as the new Director, Strategic Communications.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said: