Closure of a $3.7 billion (?2.3 billion) education investment fund would end ¡°the last remaining federal programme dedicated to financing university buildings and infrastructure¡±, Universities Australia has warned.

The government wants to end the programme to fund higher than expected costs in the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

¡°Established by the Howard government and then supported by Labor in government, this programme funds teaching, training and research facilities at universities right across the country,¡± said Belinda Robinson, Universities Australia chief executive.

She added that without the funding ¡°future students, communities and the nation will see a gradual erosion of our world-class university facilities¡±.

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Universities Australia highlighted the fact that international education exports are worth $21.8 billion a year to the nation.

¡°As MPs and senators start the year, we understand the budget is a key concern. It makes no sense to close down programmes that generate wealth for Australia,¡± Ms Robinson said.

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Universities Australia also warned that universities with few alternative funding sources would be hardest hit.

In December¡¯s budget update, the government said it would shut the fund so as to reallocate the funding to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com