Australia’s top research universities have backed a planned overhaul of federal laws governing foreign agreements, amid growing concerns over state-sponsored foreign interference.
The endorsement comes following reports that more than 6,500 research papers have been produced through partnerships between local universities and institutions linked to the Chinese Communist party and its military.
A Senate hearing also previously revealed that three Australian universities continued collaborating with Iranian counterparts on unmanned aerial vehicle technology, despite prior government warnings.
The federal government’s Foreign Arrangements Scheme was introduced in 2020 to ensure agreements made by state entities and universities do not conflict with Australian foreign policy.
In July, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced a new bill to amend the scheme, aimed at tightening oversight and managing national security risks.
“These reforms sharpen our focus on risk where it matters most, while making it easier to pursue the partnerships that deliver for Australians,” she said.
“This is about keeping Australia open to the world, while being clear‑eyed about the risks and confident in protecting our interests.”
Go8 Warns Against ‘Excessive Red Tape’
In a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, the Group of Eight (Go8)—which represents Australia’s leading research universities, including UNSW, the University of Sydney, and the University of Melbourne—supported the changes (pdf).
The peak body acknowledged that while international research underpins economic growth, regulations must adapt to a “rapidly evolving strategic environment.”
However, Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson warned policymakers against over-regulating international collaboration.
“International engagement should not be viewed primarily through the lens of risk,” she said.
“In an increasingly contested world, Australia’s ability to collaborate with trusted international partners is a source of national strength, strategic influence, and competitive advantage.
“International collaboration is not the opposite of national security. Done well, it’s one of the foundations of Australia’s security, economic resilience, and sovereign capability.”
Thomson urged the government to avoid creating redundant administrative hurdles that could hinder critical partnerships in clean energy, health, space, and advanced technology.
“The question is not whether Australia should be secure or connected. Australia’s future success depends on being both,” Thomson said.
History of Security Concerns
The debate follows several high-profile security reviews across the higher education sector.
In 2021, the University of Adelaide revealed it had rejected collaborations with Chinese institutions, potentially worth millions of dollars due to foreign interference concerns.
Two years later, UNSW asked staff and students to submit complaints about any foreign interference, after Human Rights Watch reported that pro-Beijing groups were intimidating people who criticise the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) told Parliament in 2024 that “hostile foreign states and their intelligence services are aggressively seeking secrets” and that more needs to be done to stop them.
