This submission is comprised of two parts. Part 1 is our overarching submission addressing the range of issues pertinent to the university sector. Part 2 responds to the recommendations relevant to the university sector made in the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Interim Report for this inquiry.

Universities Australia welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Council for International Education’s consultation process for the development of the new Australian Strategy for International Education 2020-30. Universities Australia is the peak body representing Australia’s 39 comprehensive universities.

Universities Australia strongly advocates that the Australian Government consider a coordinated approach to identifying and managing the risk of foreign interference in Australian universities. We are concerned the Bill is not proportionate to risk and would impose an onerous administrative impost on universities and on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.