ATN universities have been gearing up for the return of thousands of students to our campuses across Australia following the change in regulations for cross-border study issued by the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange.

Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) Executive Director, Luke Sheehy, said it was crucial that the Federal Government and the higher education sector moved quickly to ensure a seamless return for international students this year, particularly those having to hasten their arrival from China.

Before the borders closed in 2020, Chinese students accounted for more than one-third of 67,000 onshore international students enrolled at ATN universities.

“ATN universities have been a destination of choice, previously about one-in-five students from China who studied in Australia chose an ATN university,” Mr Sheehy said.

“During the pandemic we continued to support students from all over the world, including those from China, with a range of academic and wellbeing measures.

“Australia should be proud of the world-class education we offer. International students are a part of our family and the return of students from China will have an amazing impact on campus life at our universities.”