Government Introduces New Limits on International Student Numbers
Starting next year, Australia will cap the number of international students starting at universities and vocational training providers at 270,000. This decision, announced by Education Minister Jason Clare, aims to distribute enrolments more evenly across institutions.
The cap includes about 145,000 new starters for publicly funded universities and around 95,000 for vocational institutions. This is roughly 7,000 fewer than pre-pandemic levels and 53,000 below last year.
The cap is part of broader reforms targeting the international education sector, which has seen a surge in enrolments post-pandemic. The government is also tightening entry requirements and increasing student visa fees to curb exploitation in the industry.

While some institutions, particularly larger universities, will see reduced enrolments, smaller and regional providers may benefit from increased capacity.
Peak bodies and university leaders have expressed concern, warning that these caps could significantly impact revenue generated from international student fees, which is crucial for funding research and infrastructure.
The cap is seen by some as a necessary measure, while others view it as a potential threat to the sector’s stability.
Source abc.net