Universities Australia

13/05/2026

The 2026-27 federal budget includes positive steps to support research and innovation, but it falls short of providing the full and proper investment needed to unlock our sector’s full potential.

We welcome the establishment of the National Resilience and Science Council, increased support for medical research, incentives for SMEs to engage in and commercial research and the government’s commitment to Horizon Europe.

But we need to do much more for skills and research, through sustained investment in and commitment to the Australian Universities Accord and the Strategic Examination of Research and Development, to enable our universities to produce the pipeline of skilled workers and the new ideas and innovation that will make Australia better, stronger and more prosperous in the decades to come.

This budget falls short of providing the support for universities, skills and innovation that Australia needs and deserves. There is more work to do.



Read our full media release on the budget here: https://universitiesaustralia.edu.au/media-item/response-to-the-2026-27-federal-budget/

Jim Chalmers MP Anthony Albanese Jason Clare Andrew Giles MP Senator Tim Ayres

The 2026-27 federal budget recognises the difficult economic environment facing the government, but it comes at a time when Australia cannot afford to take its foot off the accelerator on skills, research and innovation.

12/05/2026

The 2026-27 federal budget recognises the difficult economic environment facing the government, but it comes at a time when Australia cannot afford to take its foot off the accelerator on skills, research and innovation.

Read our full media release here: https://universitiesaustralia.edu.au/media-item/response-to-the-2026-27-federal-budget/

Jim Chalmers MP Jason Clare Anthony Albanese Senator Tim Ayres Andrew Giles MP

11/05/2026

This International Nurses Day, we’re celebrating the thousands of amazing nurses working in cities, towns and communities right across Australia, caring for and helping keep Australians safe and healthy. Thank you for the extraordinary difference you make every day.

Australia’s universities are proud to educate the next generation of nurses through world-class education, training and research.

11/05/2026

Professor Christina Aggar of Southern Cross University is leading an innovative delirium research project that has the backing of a $1.34 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council - NHMRC.

SCU, in conjunction with Northern NSW Local Health District, along with the University of Canberra and Canberra Health Services, has developed an innovative, easy-to-use model of care, known as PREDICT – Prevention & Early Delirium Identification Carer Toolkit – that is now in a clinical trial phase.

The PREDICT co-designed model of care empowers carers and nurses to prevent and respond to early signs of delirium.

Delirium is one of the leading hospital-acquired health complications in Australia.

Early recognition is crucial for better patient outcomes and can potentially save the Australian healthcare system millions of dollars annually.

Read more about the research here: https://universitiesmatter.edu.au/preventing-delirium-health-partnerships-to-trial-revolutionary-carer-toolkit/

08/05/2026

Universities are central to Australia’s progress, driving global knowledge, economic growth, and job creation.

At , Dr Kate Cornick, CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, highlighted the need to embrace change in R&D while safeguarding the strength of our research.

As a member of the Strategic Examination of Research and Development panel, Dr Cornick is helping shape what comes next.

Join us for an exclusive In Conversation webinar with Dr Kate Cornick as we explore the future of R&D in Australia and what comes next.
Register here: https://events.uniaus.edu.au/solutionserieskc/home

06/05/2026

We’re excited to launch UA’s Solutions Series: In Conversation – a new national platform bringing together leaders from government, industry and the university sector to tackle the big issues shaping Australia’s future.

And we’re kicking off with one of the biggest – the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD).

The review is done. The recommendations are on the table. The question now is: how will we act?

Join CEO of the Tech Council of Australia and SERD panel member Dr Kate Cornick and UA CEO Luke Sheehy for the first Solutions Series: In Conversation event as they unpack what comes next for the SERD – and what it will take to turn ambition into action.

Held just days after the federal budget, this timely discussion will explore:

- What’s at stake for Australia’s productivity, competitiveness and future industries
- The risk of losing momentum on reform
- The practical steps government should take next
- How universities, industry and government can work together to deliver impact

No rehashing the report. No theory. Just a practical, solutions-focused conversation about what happens next.

Register now: 👇
https://events.uniaus.edu.au/solutionserieskc/home

06/05/2026

As knowledge evolves faster than ever, adaptability starts with education.

Professor Ian Chubb AC, independent expert panel member of the Strategic Examination of Research and Development, highlights the vital role universities play not only in driving research, but in educating the people behind breakthrough ideas and discoveries, from Wi-Fi to vaccines.

05/05/2026

Yesterday, our CEO Luke Sheehy met with the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Yasoja Kusalini Gunasekera. They discussed Sri Lanka’s priorities for economic development and the importance of maintaining and strengthening our people-to-people links.

Education was also central to the conversation. Several Australian universities have established a presence in Sri Lanka and Australia is seen as a destination of choice for Sri Lankan students studying abroad. Expanding our relationship through education will boost our countries’ relationship for the better.

05/05/2026

Our CEO Luke Sheehy met with Dr Kiran Martin from the Asha Society in Sydney last week.

It was a pleasure meeting Luke Sheehy, CEO of Universities Australia, the umbrella body representing all universities across Australia.

Our conversation was both meaningful and encouraging. Luke was incredibly warm and open and generously offered support for our students in a variety of ways. Opportunities like these give me great hope for the future of the young people we work with, especially as they aspire to access quality education and global exposure.

I truly value such partnerships and look forward to building pathways that can help our students dream bigger and achieve more.

30/04/2026

Students from Charles Darwin University are stepping up to support Top End communities impacted by recent floods and cyclones.

Through a new partnership with the Northern Territory Government Department of Children and Families, CDU students studying Humanitarian Aid and Development and Social Work are now on the ground, contributing to emergency response efforts in evacuation centres and with welfare teams through their placements.

CDU Pro Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Health Professor Dominic Upton said the partnership would give students the opportunity to put their skills and training to the test in a real-world crisis context.

Professor Upton said the placements exemplify how the University brings its commitment to the Northern Territory beyond the classroom.

Read more about this program here: https://universitiesmatter.edu.au/cdu-students-join-disaster-relief-efforts-following-flooding/

29/04/2026

When university funding is cut, students still pay through fewer services, less support and a diminished university experience. Unfunded cuts don’t solve the problem - they shift it.

At a time when the system is already under strain, that’s not sustainable. Our CEO Luke Sheehy on the urgent need to fix JRG and fund universities properly in his op-ed published in the Future Campus today. 👇
https://universitiesaustralia.edu.au/media-item/everyone-agrees-job-ready-graduates-has-failed-so-why-hasnt-it-been-fixed/

Jason Clare Anthony Albanese Jim Chalmers MP