Universities head warns of consequences to student cuts

Excessive regulation and government meddling is suffocating the university sector, according to its peak body, as political parties threaten to cut off a major source of income for higher education.

Universities Australia chair Carolyn Evans will call for greater autonomy and a considered debate over international students in an address to the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Her State of the Sector speech will acknowledge there might be good reasons to reduce the number of international students, but suggests the current political debate is ignoring significant consequences.

Labor, the coalition and One Nation have declared an intention to cut migration figures, with each party setting its sights on different visa holders.

One Nation and the coalition have committed to significantly reducing the intake of international students as the solution to meeting lower migration targets.

In her speech, Professor Evans will warn of the ripple effect of such a policy to health, aged care, tourism and long-term diplomacy.

"What's the plan for the financial sustainability of our universities? Will the taxpayer resume responsibility for them or will we as a nation happily see thousands more job losses and the closure of small campuses?"

Universities and academics criticised the coalition's plan to cut Australia's migrant intake in May, warning it would hurt the economy and cost jobs.

The sector relies heavily on foreign students who can be charged much higher fees to cover costs such as compliance, infrastructure and research.

Prof Evans will also call for a lighter touch on university regulation.

"When governments seek to regulate our media, the democratic threat is recognised, and so questions are asked and debated as they should be. The same is not true for universities," she will say.

The Morrison-era Job-ready Graduates program is also expected to be singled out as a policy that has failed to meet the needs of the modern workforce and has left the sector chronically underfunded.

The Albanese government is yet to announce a new funding model since the 2024 Universities Accord recommended an overhaul.