Two University of Newcastle international students have been elected to Australia's new peak representative organisation for international students, the Council of International Students Australia (CISA).

Mechanical Engineering student Heather Richards and Nuclear Medicine student Vishnu Vigneswaran attended a recent conference in Hobart and were elected to represent the nation's international tertiary student population as part of the council.

"There are many challenges facing international students, from welfare and security issues to education and quality of life concerns," Ms Richards said. "The group will work together with the country's leaders to bring a higher level of equality and social inclusion to all international students living in Australia."

The 52 founding members of CISA include representatives from small campus-level ethnic associations, student unions, postgraduate associations and overseas students' associations.