Crackdown on foreign interference at unis

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has flagged new laws to combat rising fears over foreign interference at Australia's universities.

Mr Tehan used an address at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday to announce a task force to combat the issue.

The latest advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre says universities are being increasingly targeted by foreign actors due to their broad research and resulting intellectual property.

Mr Tehan was unable to say how much information has already been lost, adding that it's difficult to know what state actors are after.

"What we do know is that the information that our universities hold is of interest to foreign actors and, therefore, we've got to make sure that we're continuing to do everything we can in our power to protect that information."

The task force will work towards filling gaps in commonwealth defence laws that prevent the transfer of technologies to those who may use it against the national interest, Mr Tehan said.

The issue flared up in June when the Australian National University revealed hackers accessed nearly 20 years' of personal data of many staff and students.

It's believed China was behind the hacking due to the scale of the breach, which remained undetected for months.

Universities Australia will be part of the new task force, and its chair Deborah Terry said a "very careful" balance needs to be struck.

"We must continue to safeguard our security without undermining the invaluable asset of our openness," Prof Terry said.

Mr Tehan downplayed concerns over universities relying on international students for money, saying campuses reinvest the funds in their facilities.

Regional universities need more international students, he added.

During the wide-ranging higher education speech Mr Tehan also announced $35 million for an underground laboratory at the Stawell gold mine in western Victoria, where dark matter is being researched.

He also announced a 10-year plan to boost the numbers of indigenous, regional and low-income students in higher education.

The plan has been developed from a review led by former Victorian Liberal premier Denis Napthine, who made seven recommendations to help more regional Australians attend university.

The minister said the approach requires resetting government's relationship with the sector and "reshaping our higher education architecture".