Australia to Cap International Student Numbers Starting Next Year

Australia is planning to reduce its overall migration to pre-pandemic levels by limiting the number of new international students it will accept starting next year.

New Student Limits Announced

Education Minister Jason Clare announced that starting in 2025, the number of new international students entering Australian universities, higher education, and vocational training will be capped at 270,000. Clare noted that this change could lead to some universities enrolling fewer students next year compared to this year, while others may have more.

Economic Impact of International Students

Official data shows that international students contributed over AU$42 billion (US$28 billion) to Australian universities and vocational education centers in 2023. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, Australian authorities issued more than 577,000 student visas to foreign nationals.

Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The education minister emphasized that the new cap would bring the number of international students back to the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. The breakdown for 2025 is as follows:

• 145,000 new students for universities
• 30,000 for other higher education providers
• 95,000 for vocational education and training

As of early 2024, Australia is hosting 717,500 international students.

Challenges and Concerns

Clare noted that the higher education sector was significantly impacted during the pandemic, with foreign students being sent home and strict border controls being enforced. He mentioned that the number of international students at universities is now 10% higher than before COVID-19, while the number at private vocational and training providers has increased by 50%. However, he also warned that some people are exploiting the industry for quick profits.

Government's Perspective

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently stated that the international education sector is "absolutely vital" for Australia but cautioned that universities should not rely too heavily on overseas students, partly due to the implications for migration.

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Official figures show that net migration to Australia surged by 26.3 percent in 2023, with 751,500 people immigrating and 204,200 leaving.