Australia has introduced new restrictions on international student enrollment by capping the number of overseas students at 270,000 for the year 2025. This limit applies to both higher education and vocational courses, excluding specific categories of students. Public universities have a cap of 145,000 new international students, while private universities and non-higher education institutions are limited to 30,000 and the vocational education sector to 95,000 new students.
This decision follows a decrease in study visas issued to offshore applicants, with a notable decline in the vocational education and training sector and language training sector. The ICEF Monitor reported a drop in study visa grants before the Australian government announced visa fee hikes, increased savings requirements, and the student cap.
The impact on Indian students is significant, as Australia served as a home to nearly 124,000 Indian students in 2023, decreasing to around 118,000 between January and May 2024. The cap has also raised concerns among leading research-intensive universities, including the Group of Eight (Go8), labeling the policy as “bad”. Such measures could potentially reduce the number of Indian students seeking higher education in Australia, affecting student intake allocation between higher education and vocational sectors.
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