Australia's higher education sector has hailed parts of the 2022 federal budget, but concerns have been raised around skills shortages and the funding gaps in research, science and technology.

A $1.6 billion accelerator designed to help Australia's researchers pursue commercial viability and industry partnerships has been announced.

A lack of a coordinated return plan by Australia might be giving a confusing signal to current offshore and prospective students, however stakeholders also say that flights to NSW and Victoria planned in 2021 can build momentum for other state and territories. Manu Prakaash takes the temperature across Australia.

The Australian budget shows the government has ceased the $1bn emergency research funding provided in October, and higher education stakeholders expect the sector to suffer.

The Australian government is looking for input from students, educators and the higher education sector on a new 2021-2030 strategy for international education – Australia’s fourth largest export earner, worth around $40bn a year.

RUN Fulbright Scholar Award recipients from the US will undertake regionally-relevant research at Regional Universities Network institutions in Australia.

Perth and the Gold Coast will soon be classified as regional for migration purposes, making graduates eligible for the additional year of PSWR announced in earlier 2019. Meanwhile, some regional areas will receive two additional years of PSWR.

A busy period for the Australian government has put regional study and migration back on the agenda, after announcing visa and program changes.