Australia to cap international students to reduce overall migration
View(s):Australia plans to cap the number of new international students to reduce overall migration to pre-pandemic levels. The limit will be set at 270,000 new enrolments for 2025, with specific quotas assigned to each higher education institution.
The largest cuts will affect vocational education and training providers.
The decision has sparked outrage in the tertiary education sector, with some universities calling the move “economic vandalism.” However, the Government argues that the cap will enhance the quality and sustainability of the education system while also addressing Australia’s high migration levels, which have strained housing and infrastructure.
As of early 2024, Australia hosts around 717,500 international students. Australia’s Education Minister Jason Clare acknowledged the challenges faced by the sector during the pandemic, but noted that international student numbers have since rebounded, with increases of 10% at universities and 50% at private vocational providers compared to pre-Covid levels.
Mr Clare emphasised that reforms aim to eliminate unethical practices in the industry, such as admitting students lacking adequate language skills or prioritising work over study. The government has already implemented tougher English-language requirements and increased scrutiny of second study visa applicants while penalising substandard education providers.
Under the new policy, public universities will be limited to 145,000 new international students in 2025, private institutions to 30,000, and vocational providers to 95,000. The policy also includes incentives for universities to build more housing for international students.
Despite the government’s assurances, education providers warn that the cap could severely damage the sector, which contributed AUD 36.4 billion to the Australian economy in 2022-23.
Economic modeling suggests the proposed cuts could cost the economy AUD 4.1 billion and result in 22,000 job losses by 2025. Critics representing top universities have labeled the measures as draconian and harmful to the industry. However, Mr Clare dismissed these concerns, adding that the cap would not cripple international education. (NA)
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