Australia's success in higher education is underpinned by deep international engagement and the sharing of knowledge with the best and brightest minds around the world. While most international interactions are positive and benefit Australia, there is a risk of foreign interference.
Interference may involve attempts to inappropriately influence course content, research directions or the actions of staff and students.
Existing guidance materials, developed for and in partnership with the university sector, are available to help universities identify and counter foreign interference.
The resources include useful tools to strengthen security measures and promote greater consistency across the sector.
Existing materials include:
- frameworks for managing risks, and policies and procedures that set out responsibilities for those engaging in university business
- how to identify acts of foreign interference
- escalation and reporting mechanisms for foreign interference-related matters
- strategies to raise awareness and support mitigation of foreign interference risks
- information on understanding and mitigating cyber business risks
- example case studies to help develop frameworks
- The Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector (last updated in 2021).
This material builds on existing university policy security practices and is intended to support, not restrict low-risk academic activities. Universities are encouraged to use the guidance material to assess their own risk and apply proportionate safeguards.
To read the guidance material, visit: Countering Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector.
