Australia to Introduce Cap on International Student Numbers
Australia is set to introduce a cap on the number of new international students it accepts in an effort to reduce overall migration levels to pre-pandemic standards. The nation, known for having one of the largest international student markets globally, will limit new enrolments to 270,000 for the year 2025.
The government announced on Tuesday that each higher education institution will be assigned an individual restriction, with vocational education and training providers facing the most significant cuts. While this move has sparked outrage within the tertiary education industry, with some universities labeling it as “economic vandalism,” Canberra argues that it will enhance the quality and sustainability of the sector.
According to recent government data from early 2024, Australia currently hosts approximately 717,500 international students. Education Minister Jason Clare acknowledged the challenges faced by higher education during the pandemic, which saw foreign students being sent home and strict border controls being implemented.
Despite these obstacles, Clare highlighted that the number of international students at universities has increased by 10% compared to pre-Covid-19 levels, with private vocational and training providers experiencing a 50% surge in enrolments.
The government has expressed concerns about unethical practices within the industry, such as admitting students lacking the necessary language skills, providing substandard education, and enrolling individuals intending to work rather than study. The reforms aim to address these issues and establish a more sustainable foundation for the future.
In addition to curbing migration levels, the restrictions will also alleviate pressure on housing and infrastructure caused by record migration figures. The government has already implemented stricter English-language requirements for international students and increased scrutiny on second study visa applications, while cracking down on hundreds of unscrupulous providers.
Public universities will be limited to 145,000 new international students in 2025, similar to their 2023 figures, while private universities and non-university higher education providers can enrol 30,000 and vocational education and training institutions 95,000.
Despite the government’s intentions to incentivize universities to build more student housing, higher education providers argue that the industry is being unfairly targeted for broader housing and migration issues. International education contributed A$36.4 billion to the Australian economy in 2022-23, making it the country’s fourth-largest export that year.
Critics, including Vicki Thomson, CEO of a prestigious university body, have condemned the proposed laws as “draconian” and “interventionist,” warning of significant economic repercussions and job losses. However, Mr. Clare maintains that the cap is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of the international education sector.
