Media Archive

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:

Universities Australia has welcomed the Government’s decision to relieve the administrative burden on universities during the COVID-19 crisis by suspending activity on two initiatives.

Universities Australia has welcomed the Government’s decision to include more than 230,000 students who will receive increased welfare payments as part of the $66 billion coronavirus stimulus package.

Universities continue to move operations online and introduce flexible tuition options as part of the enormous national effort to slow community transmission of COVID-19, as well as protecting those most vulnerable to the pandemic.

Statement by Universities Australia CEO Catriona Jackson

Statement from Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson:

Australian students continue to give their universities the thumbs up, with 78 per cent reporting they are satisfied with the quality of their overall study experience.

Universities are well prepared for the further extension of travel restrictions on visitors from China for a further week until Saturday 7 March, according to Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson.

Research that could bring to life an idea from the movie Big Hero 6 – a friendly healthcare robot who can inspire trust from humans – has won a major comms prize for early-career researchers.

National Press Club Address – Professor Deborah Terry AO

Further strong gains have been made in Indigenous students going to university, with enrolments up 3.6 percent in 2018 – compared to 0.4 percent for non-Indigenous students.

Clever collaborations between Australia’s universities and businesses return almost $4.50 on average to companies for each dollar they invest.

After a hellish summer of bushfires, floods, drought and coronavirus, the big challenges facing humanity are “at an alarming juncture” – and evidence and expertise will be crucial to solve them.

Australia’s university leaders have expressed deep compassion and concern for our students in China who have not yet been able to travel to start their studies here this year.

Three lecturers who made a gritty ‘film noir’ style crime drama to re-engage students in their psychology course have been named the Australian University Teachers of the Year.

Australia’s universities will continue to do all they can to support our international students after an extension of restrictions on travellers from China for another week until 29 February.

High school completion rates for young Indigenous people in our major cities have jumped by 21 per cent over this decade – but rates have gone backwards in regional areas.

Australia’s universities will continue to support our students in China and ramp up flexible study options following the extension of travel restrictions for another week.

Universities Australia and Education Minister Dan Tehan met last night to discuss the next steps in their joint approach to minimise disruption arising from travel restrictions imposed on visitors from China.

The Universities Australia Board met with Education Minister Dan Tehan on Monday afternoon to identify further measures to minimise disruption caused by new travel restrictions imposed on 1 February.

Following today’s announcement, Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the nation’s universities would seek to extend the offers of flexibility they had made to international students in recent days, including online study and deferred start date options.

Australian employers continue to be strongly satisfied with the skills of university graduates and their ability to hit the ground running in the workplace, the latest official data finds.

Universities Australia today announces the departure of Director of Strategic Communications Misha Schubert in February 2020 after an outstanding four and a half years in the role.

Maintaining investment in university education and research is vital if Australia is to counter global economic headwinds and their impact on jobs and prosperity.

As every home makeover television show confirms, clever renovations are those that keep the best of what is old while modernising from the new.

Universities Australia is pleased to see Education Minister Dan Tehan endorse the review of Provider Category Standards by Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO.

Changes to the nation’s qualifications framework will help to strengthen existing pathways between TAFE and universities – and make the post-school system easier to understand.

Universities Australia backs legislation introduced today to outlaw contract cheating in Australia.

A senior delegation of Australian university leaders has joined Education Minister Dan Tehan on an official visit to India this week to reinforce strong bilateral higher education and research links.

An equal partnership between the university sector and Government security agencies has delivered a new set of guidelines to enhance existing safeguards against foreign interference.

Seeking deeper insights into the Australian housing market, developing cardiac patches, and assessing uses of AI in advanced manufacturing are among projects funded in this year’s Australia-Germany grants.

Universities today welcomed the launch of a scheme to boost Australia’s economy by attracting up to 5000 highly skilled knowledge workers each year.

Sustained Indigenous recruitment strategies across Australian universities secured a 2.8 per cent lift in Indigenous student offers in 2019, while overall student offers fell by 1.5 per cent nationwide.

A review of the nation’s qualifications framework wants to make the system easier to understand and continue to enhance student transitions between TAFE and university.

Legislation passed the Senate today to set up a new fund to finance responses to natural disasters and emergencies, with funds taken from the $3.95 billion Education Investment Fund (EIF).

Universities Australia has welcomed recommendations to reaffirm research as a defining feature of universities and simplify the higher education provider categories from six to four.

Nine in ten university graduates have a full-time job within three years of graduation, the latest official data confirms.

Education Minister Dan Tehan today released further details on performance funding for universities including the proposed weighting of performance measures.

Universities have urged Australian businesses to take a fresh look at how university research can help drive productivity to stimulate economic, jobs and wages growth.

Australians are more educated than ever before and continue to enjoy strong employment outcomes following graduation, new global figures on tertiary education confirm.

Sending the story of cracking the cane toad genome global, a pitch to entice more STEM PhD students into industry and an inspired billion-dollar fundraising effort are among campaigns recognised in the sector’s highest awards for university storytellers.

Australia’s universities want to work collaboratively with Government to enhance the existing safeguards against foreign interference in our civil society.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson’s speech to the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Summit 27 August 2019

Universities Australia commends Education Minister Dan Tehan’s acknowledgement of the need for higher education opportunities for the next generation, and the crucial role of universities in productivity and job creation.

Australian universities have commissioned and funded the next student survey of sexual assault and sexual harassment as part of their ongoing commitment to prevent unacceptable behaviour.

Australian universities today welcomed a new scheme to identify and recruit 5000 highly skilled migrants, including international academics and researchers.

Most of the students who enter university with a lower ATAR are not giving up big opportunities in vocational education, a new report by the Grattan Institute concludes.

Australia’s university leaders will carefully examine proposals to tie growth funds for student places to a new set of metrics — and will provide feedback to Government as it finalises its plan.

Australia’s universities are giving careful attention to the Government’s Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme to ensure they comply with the law.

A game-changing program that helps Australian children to catch up on years of lost literacy, music therapy to help dementia sufferers and a world-first new test to diagnose chronic pain levels.

Australian universities strongly support new legislation to outlaw “contract cheating” services.

The Universities Australia Board has appointed its Deputy Chairs for the next two years.

The peak body for Australia’s universities is pleased to reaffirm the university sector’s enduring commitment to freedom of expression and academic freedom.

Freedom of expression and academic freedom go to the heart of what our universities do. They are fundamental to how we operate.

An historic shift towards jobs that require higher skills is unlikely to diminish as the economy changes, a new report confirms.

International students in Australia spent $35 billion last year on tourism, food, travel and housing – supporting more than 240,000 local jobs and countless small and family businesses across the nation.

Four in five of the new jobs in the next decade will be for ‘knowledge workers’ – and tertiary education is crucial to equip Australians for this changing job market, new Deloitte research predicts.

The Productivity Commission has warned today of a “troubling” slowdown of Australia’s investment in research and development and a stalling in the share of businesses that are innovating.

Universities congratulate Tanya Plibersek on her reappointment as Shadow Minister for Education and Training, and Brendan O’Connor being appointed Shadow Minister for Science & Industry.

Universities congratulate Dan Tehan on his reappointment as Education Minister and Karen Andrews on her reappointment as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.

Universities Australia has welcomed two new directors and re-elected five continuing directors to its board, as the new Chair for the university sector’s peak body formally begins her term today.

Australia’s universities congratulate Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the weekend’s election result and look forward to working with his Government and all members of Parliament once again.

Hundreds of thousands more Australians of talent and ability have had the life-changing opportunity of a university education, due to the legacy of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Universities Australia has welcomed Labor’s election commitment of a research and development premium tax concession for businesses collaborating with universities and other publicly-funded research institutions.

An overwhelming majority of international students in Australia – almost nine in ten – are satisfied with the quality of their university education and lifestyle – matching or outranking competing nations.

The peak bodies for Australia’s universities and the nation’s Indigenous academy have deepened their partnership with the signing of a formal memorandum of understanding this week.

Four in five students at Australia’s universities are satisfied with the quality of their overall study experience – a strong result consistent with previous annual surveys.

The review into freedom of speech in Australian universities has found no evidence of a free speech crisis on Australian campuses.

Anyone who helps students cheat in their university exams or by writing essays for them will face new criminal penalties, helping universities in the fight against cheating.

The Federal Opposition has recommitted a future Labor government to restoring uncapped university student places — unlocking educational opportunity for thousands more Australians.

The last remaining fund for education and research infrastructure is again under threat, with the announcement in yesterday’s Budget that it will be repurposed to create a new Emergency Response Fund.

Tonight’s Budget has missed an important opportunity to reverse economy-damaging cuts to university funding and secure economic growth — despite a $7.1 billion surplus.

A new Government report shows once again university research is making a major contribution to the economy, society, environment and culture, delivering solid benefits for all Australians.

Obscured by the latest twists and turns with Brexit last week, another development in the United Kingdom almost slipped under the radar – the launch of a new UK international education strategy.

More than 90 per cent of Australian university research assessed by the Government is rated as world class or higher — putting Australia at the forefront of the global research effort.

New incentives for university students and graduates to study and work in regional Australia are another drawcard for international students to study in Australia.

Four in five Australians say international students are important to Australia’s economy, new polling confirms.

Almost half a million students at Australia’s universities are getting real-world experience to help kick-start their careers through a work placement, internship or fieldwork as part of their degree

Two in three Australians oppose funding cuts to university research, a major new survey of public opinion has found.

University researchers and experts are the most trusted group in society to ensure facts and evidence are part of important public debates, new polling confirms.

Speech to the National Press Club of Australia
Professor Margaret Gardner AO, Chair, Universities Australia
12.30pm Wednesday 27 February 2019

Clever research to spare people the dentist’s drill by extending the lifespan of tooth fillings has won a University of Queensland researcher the top prize in a major research communications competition.

Australia’s outstanding university teachers have been recognised with the nation’s most prestigious teaching honours in a ceremony at Universities Australia’s annual higher education conference.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AO has been elected the next Chair of Universities Australia.

Labor’s pledge to create tax-free bursaries of $10,000 a year – worth $40,000 over a four-year teaching degree – would be a carrot to help support talented future teachers in the making.

The independent review into the Defence Trade Controls Act by Dr Vivienne Thom is a victory for common sense.

When I was studying at university, the conversation about rape and sexual harassment was very ­different to the one happening now around the world — not just on campuses, but right across ­societies.

Keynote speech delivered by Chief Executive Catriona Jackson to the Respect. Prevent. Respond. Conference at Deakin University on 6 February 2019.

Universities will partner with the nation’s leading agency dedicated to preventing violence against women to develop a next-generation respectful relationships education program drawing on cutting-edge expert research.

The sector regulator has acknowledged the significant and comprehensive work by Australian universities to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Employer satisfaction with university graduates has hit its highest level ever, while graduates enjoy their best job prospects in four years.

On Monday, the mid-year Budget update unveiled research funding cuts of A$328.5 million over the next four years. This Budget raid on research was more than double the size expected by the university research community.

On Monday, universities are bracing for the details of another funding cut – this time to life-changing research.

Cuts of $328.5 million to research funding have been unveiled in the Government’s mid-year Budget update — a move that will damage Australia.

Government investment in research and development in Australia is projected to plunge next year to its lowest level as a share of our economy in four decades – setting loud alarm bells ringing.

Australian business has strongly backed Australian immigration policies that enable international students to study here – injecting $32 billion a year into Australia’s economy.

Australian universities are strongly represented in the first group of research institutions recognised for making major strides on gender equality through a new national initiative.

Labor has announced a taskforce following a concerted program of action by universities to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment in student communities.

The Coalition’s announcement of a refocused national science and research advisory council has been welcomed by the university sector.

Labor’s recommitment to lift spending on research and development to 3 per cent of the nation’s economy by the end of the next decade has been welcomed by Australia’s universities.

Universities are pleased a Parliamentary inquiry has adopted key recommendations to help Australia’s researchers spend more of their time on life-changing research instead of paperwork.

Universities Australia congratulates the university researchers who were successful in the latest round of funding from Australian Research Council.

A further $10 billion improvement in the Budget bottom line this year — revealed in Deloitte’s Budget monitor today — shows Parliament there’s no need to slap a new tax on universities.

Universities urge the Senate to reject legislation imposing a new tax on universities — which would pay the salaries of bureaucrats in Canberra.