Working with Foreign Collaborators & Training
UNE representatives and students planning to collaborate with foreign partners must complete the International Collaboration Checklist to ensure compliance with the Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020. This checklist was developed in alignment with the University Foreign Interference Taskforce Guidelines, and supports UNE representatives and students in evaluating relevant risks. It also helps UNE meet its notification responsibilities to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and assess potential foreign interference risks.
UNE representatives and students must complete a separate International Collaboration Checklist for each international partner, submit it to their Executive Dean for approval, and send a copy to foreignrelations@une.edu.au, for review. The information and any entities listed in the checklist are then subjected to a check which aims to identify links to sanctioned regimes, countries of concern, the Consolidated List, and sensitive or critical areas of research or technology development. For inquiries, contact the Research Governance and Compliance Officer at foreignrelations@une.edu.au.
Specific Advice for Higher Risk Collaborations and Research Areas
While all foreign collaborations need to be notified to UNE using the International Collaboration Checklist, further checks may need to be performed, based on various risk factors. Consult the risk factors below to determine whether your proposed engagement might require further assessments. If you are unsure or would like further information, reach out to the Research Governance and Compliance Officer at foreignrelations@une.edu.au, or on 02 6773 1093.
Risk factors may relate to the country or partner, or technology and associated research area of your planned engagement. If the organisation or individual you plan to engage with is based in a sanctioned country or has been previously tied to a sanctioned country, a sanctions assessment will likely need to be performed. For organisations or individuals tied to a Foreign Country of Concern (as legislated by the US Government, including China), further checks may also be required. Any individual or entity that appears on the Consolidated List is subjected to Australian sanctions and cannot legally be dealt with. UNE representatives and students are encouraged to check the list before engaging with foreign partners. If your proposed collaborator (individual or organisation) fits into any of the above categories, consult the Research Governance and Compliance Officer at foreignrelations@une.edu.au or on 02 6773 1093, at the earlier possible stage. More information on sanctions and the Consolidated List can be found on the UNE Sanctions Measures (this will link to the relevant page below) page. If your proposed activity or area of research involves any goods or technology listed on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL List) or the List of Critical Technologies, consult the Research Governance and Compliance Officer at foreignrelations@une.edu.au or on 02 6773 1093, at the earlier possible stage. More information on the DGSL List and critical technologies can be found on the UNE Export Controls and Critical Technologies (this will link to the relevant page below) page. If your proposed activity or area of research involves any goods or technology listed on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL List) or the List of Critical Technologies, consult the Research Governance and Compliance Officer at foreignrelations@une.edu.au or on 02 6773 1093, at the earlier possible stage. More information on the DGSL List and critical technologies can be found on the UNE Export Controls and Critical Technologies page.Risk Factors
Foreign Interference Training
Training resources are available through the Foreign Interference and International Collaboration page in myLearn.
All UNE representatives and students are encouraged to complete the Introduction to Foreign Interference course. This course is designed to raise awareness of foreign interference risks across the education and research sectors. Participants will gain an understanding of what foreign interference is, Australia’s strategic approach to countering it, and how to identify, mitigate, and report potential risks and suspicious activities.
Sanctions Training is also available to all UNE staff. This course provides an overview of sanctions obligations at UNE and explains how to undertake due diligence when establishing or managing collaborations as part of your work. Participants will learn what sanctions are, how to maintain compliance, and develop the confidence to conduct their own due diligence assessments.
Each course takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
If you experience any difficulties accessing or completing the training, please contact foreignrelations@une.edu.au for assistance.
