A Federal government push to cap the number of foreign students at Australian universities would see a loss of 14,000 university staff, a Senate inquiry has been told.

Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy slammed the draft policy – which would limit the number of international students at each university and private training college – at a Senate inquiry on Tuesday.

Group of Eight chief executive officer Vicki Thomson – who represents eight of the country’s well-known universities – told 6PR Afternoons host Julie-Anne Sprague the proposed cap was a “really blunt instrument” and “nonsensical”.

Click PLAY to hear what Ms Thomson had to say.

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