Implementing the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector

Raising awareness and building resilience against foreign interference across Australia’s university and research sector.

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The Department of Education (the department) supports Australian universities to implement the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector (the Guidelines) and mitigate risks of foreign interference. The department seeks to maintain strong engagement and collaboration with the higher education and research sector and is an active member of the University Foreign Interference Taskforce (UFIT). 

Since 2023 the department has undertaken annual pulse surveys of universities’ self-reported implementation of the Guidelines and a series of workshops focussed on raising awareness, building resilience and enhancing universities’ understanding of the risk environment. 

Outcomes from the annual surveys and workshops inform the development of annual reports on implementation of the Guidelines and forward work agendas for the department. 

These reports highlight the extensive work undertaken by universities to actively engage with the Guidelines, enhance capabilities and adapt to an evolving risk environment, and directly inform the Australian Government of emerging barriers and opportunities to better navigate the national security ecosystem, including implementation of the Guidelines.

In 2024 the department invited all 42 Australian universities to participate in an Annual Pulse Survey and Countering Foreign Interference Workshop Series across Australia, designed to enhance universities’ understanding of the risk environment. Key findings and supporting material from this engagement can be found in the following products:

The Pulse Check, and associated products, build on the key findings and consultation of the previous year’s engagement.

In 2023 the department released the Report on implementation of the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector. The report identified the progress of universities’ uplift in establishing, reviewing or updating key initiatives to address the risk of foreign interference. The report also identified new or emerging barriers to implementing the Guidelines.

Implementation of the Guidelines is supported by a suite of products developed by the department, including case studies, templates, tools, references, further advice and other materials, including links to additional Australian and international resources.