The Australian government announced plans Tuesday to cap the number of international students from next year, a move aimed at reining in a multibillion-dollar industry facing political pressure over immigration.
Education Minister Jason Clare said in a press conference that by 2025, the number of new international students, both for universities, higher education and vocational training, will be capped at 270,000.
“It means some universities will have more students this year than next, while others will have fewer,” Clare said, adding the plan would require a legislative amendment.
According to official data, by 2023, international students will contribute more than Aus$42 billion (US$28 billion) to universities and vocational education institutions in Australia.
The Australian Government issued more than 577,000 international student visas during the financial year ending 30 June 2023.
Clare said the changes would see the number of international students starting next year almost the same as before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government said that by 2025, the number of new foreign students would be capped at 145,000 for universities, 30,000 for other higher education providers, and 95,000 for vocational education and training.
The cap is designed to replace a recent policy that prioritized students with a low risk of visa violations. The previous policy favored top universities and significantly slowed visa processing for other institutions.
“While we recognise the right of governments to regulate migration numbers, this should not be done at the expense of one sector, particularly one as economically important as education,” Universities Australia President David Lloyd said.
Very important
International students are Australia's second-largest industry after mining, accounting for more than half of Australia's economic growth last year, Lloyd said.
“Every dollar from overseas students is reinvested into Australian universities. Fewer students here will only widen the funding gap at a time when universities need more support,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said this month the industry was “critically important” to Australia.
However, he added that universities should not rely too heavily on international students, especially because of the impact on migration.
According to an Essential poll published by The Guardian On Tuesday (27/8), around 69 percent of respondents in Australia blamed immigration as the cause of high house prices.
Net migration to Australia jumped 26.3 per cent in 2023 to 547,300, official data showed. Of that number, 751,500 people immigrated, while 204,200 left the country.
The Australian government also plans to protect the international education industry from “those who seek to exploit it,” the education minister said.
More than 150 “fictitious colleges” have recently closed, Clare said, calling them a “back door” to allow people to work in Australia rather than study. (ah/rs)
