The Australian Department of Education announced this policy on 4/8. All currently operating educational institutions will retain their existing quotas for the next year, totaling 295,000. While this represents an increase of approximately 25,000 compared to this year, it remains 8% lower than the peak period following the Covid-19 pandemic.
International students transitioning from high schools, preparatory programs, or public vocational training systems will not be counted toward the institutions' international student quotas.
Public universities can apply for additional quotas if they meet government priorities, including providing student accommodation and increasing recruitment from Southeast Asia, in line with Australia's economic strategy for the region.
For the Vocational Education and Training (VET) program, starting in 2027, the government will continue to reform visa processing, ensuring integrity to shape the size and composition of this sector.
In the announcement, Education Minister Jason Clare and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the new policy provides certainty to the international admissions sector while maintaining the integrity of the migration system.
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The University of Melbourne campus, Australia. Photo: The University of Melbourne fanpage |
The University of Melbourne campus, Australia. Photo: The University of Melbourne fanpage
Luke Sheehy, Chief Executive of Universities Australia, the association of public universities, agreed. He noted that international students contribute approximately 52 billion AUD annually to the Australian economy, offsetting domestic budget deficits and enabling institutions to continue research and train a skilled workforce.
While acknowledging this as a positive sign, Phil Honeywood, Chief Executive of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), pointed out a disparity between different types of institutions. "Private institutions are understandably disappointed with only a 3% quota increase, while public universities receive a 9% increase," he said.
Over the past two years, Australia has repeatedly tightened student visas to reduce immigration. Post-graduation work rights for international students have been shortened (from 4-6 years to 2-4 years), English language requirements have increased by 0.5 points to 6.0-6.5 IELTS, and proof-of-funds requirements and visa fees have also increased.
Last August, the government capped international student quotas for 2025 at 270,000, a decrease of over 53,000 compared to the previous year. Vocational schools and private universities were most affected.
As of April, over 794,000 international students were enrolled in Australian institutions, a 2% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Australian Department of Education. Vietnamese students number around 33,400, the 4th largest group after China, India, and Nepal.
Huyen Trang - Hai Yen
