Autonomy and the realities of internationalization at Australian universities: an institutional logics perspective

Recent statements from Australia’s education minister and prime minister signal—potentially—a new era in Australian university autonomy. Claims that Australian public universities will be given greater organizational autonomy suggests there will be less dependence on governments to direct strategies but also less government funding and thus greater financial autonomy. Should Australian public universities be given more freedom “to formulate strategies for their future development” (Bleiklie 2007: 397), they may also formulate new trajectories of internationalization. Governments encourage “export” of higher education to encourage alternative revenue sources from overseas student fees (Parker 2013), leading to greater financial autonomy and eventually to an enlarged and more diversified financial base.