Proposal to get international students back into regional unis welcomed

Mr Toole said the Federal Government needs to look at measures to support regional universities, and follows on from Premier, Gladys Berejiklian's call for federal leaders to lift border restrictions for international students acknowledging "regional universities won't survive unless they can get some of their students back."

He said a quota system for international students is "one sure way to improve the bottom line [of universities]" and said the cost of isolating the students in hotels on their return to Australia should not be met by tax payers, but the returning students.

"We are pushing for it, it could help universities like CSU if the Federal Government support an increase in the quota," he said.

"And if the Federal Government support it, surely that's a message to the board of CSU to stop rumored cuts of courses at campuses like Bathurst," he said.

Vice-Chancellor, of Charles Sturt University, Professor Andrew Vann, said the university is pleased that the NSW Government recognises the importance of international students returning to Australian universities and particularly, regionally-based universities.

"Regionally-based higher education offers supportive learning, higher teacher-student ratios, and the majority of students get the opportunity to gain industry experience throughout their degree.

"The educational offerings and graduate outcomes we offer are of the highest quality - clearly demonstrated by our consistent record for the highest graduate employment rates in Australia.

"It is critical that universities be able to welcome back international students. Whether studying in our capital cities, or in our regions, the international student cohort brings varied benefits to the communities: diversity, creativity, and a boost to local business and tourism."