The vetoing of research grants by former Australian education minister Simon Birmingham could damage the international reputation of the country’s research funding model.

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison’s intimation that international students may be pushed away from Sydney and Melbourne has been derided by the country’s industry.

International students are increasingly skipping university classes to attend work and are having their studies affected adversely, according to the latest survey by Universities Australia.

A set of principles have outlined the responsibilities of research supervisors and students on the first anniversary of the Change the Course report.

Universities Australia's concerns have been alleviated after the bulk of their suggested amendments were included in a recently passed foreign influence bill, meaning researchers will not have to register collaborations with government.

Half a decade since its crash, Australia has almost doubled the economic impact of international education to hit a new record high in 2017. Though some celebrate the rise, others warn of a bubble about to burst and hope for a slowdown.

Universities Australia has launched Clever Collaborations, pitching the economic rationale for industry to partner with higher education, as HEIs face up to a government funding freeze.

Australia's higher education sector was urged to ensure it remained ahead of the curve to prepare domestic and international students for the future of work as those with the power to change direction gathered in Canberra.