The Australian government has confirmed that new students will be permitted to count online studies overseas towards post-study work permits.

The Australian government will recommence granting international student visas and allow current students to count online study while overseas as part of new measures to ensure the country remains a priority study abroad destination.

Stakeholders have welcomed the Australian federal government's announcement of a pilot program aimed at enabling international students to return, and lessening the fallout from travel restrictions and accusations of racism.

Educators have condemned a Chinese government travel alert against traveling to Australia to study due to discrimination and racist attacks as "unhelpful" and "cheap politics".

Universities across Australia could lose $16 billion in international student revenue by 2023, sector body Universities Australia has warned.

The NSW government has announced it will fund temporary crisis accommodation for international students, but stakeholders have called for the federal government to do more to ensure a unified national approach to assisting students. 

CISA has asked telecommunication, accommodation and overseas student health cover providers to offer more support to international students.

In an address that touched on the formidable challenges that 2020 has so far brought, the chair of Universities Australia has commended Australian HEIs for their "powerful contribution" in the face of global threats.