Skip navigation
Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Building South Australia's competitive higher education sector

    See current focus areas
    H I E header min

    A progressive, globally recognised and internationally competitive higher education sector.

    The Higher and International Education team works across government, with industry and the community to support the skills, workforce, and international relations benefits brought about by a strong education sector.

    Functions of the higher and international education portfolio include:

    • Advocating on desirable policy settings for higher and international education providers and students in the state.
    • Engaging with higher and international education providers to ensure they are effectively involved in addressing emerging skills gaps.
    • Supporting the attraction and retention of talented international students.
    • Facilitating collaboration across higher education, industry and government to produce high-quality, interdisciplinary research.
    • Ensuring the alignment of higher and international education with state-wide industry policy and skilled migration policy, to strengthen the provision of workforce solutions for businesses.

    Current focus areas for the SA Government

    Coordination and engagement

    • Ongoing engagement, input and coordination on the Australian Government’s Universities Accord, which aims to drive lasting transformative reform in Australia’s higher education system.
    • Working closely with StudyAdelaide to support their work on destination marketing and student engagement initiatives to continue to drive the growth of international student numbers in South Australia.

    Enabling Educator Excellence (E3)

    • To strengthen and diversify the teaching profession in South Australia, 400 university scholarships of $5,000 each, over four years have been provided to help with the costs of starting a teaching degree.
    • Agreements have been signed with the three public universities, allowing them to offer the Enabling Educator Excellence (E3) scholarships to eligible students.
    New University for SA header

    Creating a new university for the future in South Australia

    In November 2023, the South Australian Parliament passed legislation to create the new Adelaide University, which is set to open its doors in January 2026.

    Learn more
    Study Adelaide DII Sbanner

    Promoting Adelaide's education excellence to a global audience

    Funded by members and the Department of State Development, StudyAdelaide is a destination marketing and student support agency for the international education sector, promoting Adelaide as a centre of education excellence.

    Promoting Adelaide as the city that brings you closer to success in study, work and life, StudyAdelaide delivers targeted global digital campaigns, country specific websites and social media channels, roadshows and events, and a comprehensive inbound familiarisation program.

    Visit StudyAdelaide

    A new university for South Australia

    The establishment of the new Adelaide University will place South Australia at the forefront of education in Australia.

    Adelaide University will unlock the benefits of increased collaboration and scale, making transformational investments in both teaching and research more feasible, and will be a stronger attraction for domestic and international students and creative, talented staff.

    To support the creation of the new university, the South Australian Government has committed $464.5 million, including:

    • the establishment of the following two perpetual funds, with the income from each fund going to Adelaide University to support research and student participation:
      • a $200 million research fund
      • a $120 million student support fund to assist students from the regions or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to access higher education
    • $114.5 million for the acquisition of Magill and parts of the Mawson Lakes campus
    • $30 million to attract international students.

    In April 2024, national university sector leader Professor Emeritus Ian O’Connor AC was appointed Higher Education Independent Advisor, responsible for providing expert advice on matters relating to the establishment of the new Adelaide University.

    Professor O’Connor is engaging with key stakeholders and providing independent advice and recommendations to the South Australian Government, including on the measurement and achievement of proposed economic benefits, possible impacts on staff and students, and risk management.

    Further information

    The establishment of the new Adelaide University places South Australia at the forefront of education in Australia.

    With our state’s research and future workforce needs increasingly dependent on highly skilled workers with university level qualifications, Adelaide University will be vital to ensuring we are growing South Australia economically and investing in our state’s future.

    Contact us

    Get in touch with the team at the Department of State Development about Higher and International Education.

    Contact us
    Call us

    Subscribe to news about Higher and International Education

    Your name

    All information is collected and used in accordance with the DSD Privacy Statement.