International students barred from specific Australian postgraduate course

International students are prohibited from enrolling in a particular postgraduate program to prevent its exploitation as an "unjustified" pathway to residency.

On 3/9, the Australian government announced the cancellation of the Graduate Diploma of Management - Learning course for international students. Educational institutions and study abroad agencies are no longer permitted to recruit new students or promote this course to international students, according to The Economic Times. Students already enrolled or currently studying will not be affected.

This government action aims to prevent the misuse of the visa system. Under Department of Home Affairs regulations, international students transferring to a course at the same or a higher Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level do not need to apply for a new student visa. This policy allows them to avoid rigorous tests and interviews concerning their profile and study intentions. The government believes many are exploiting this to extend their stay in Australia.

The Graduate Diploma of Management - Learning is a vocational education and training (VET) course, lasting one to two years. It is a level 8 qualification on the AQF, positioned between bachelor's degrees (level 7) and master's degrees (level 9). The program has less stringent entry requirements and focuses on business management skills like strategic planning, marketing, and financial management.

Evidence of the course's misuse is clear. According to ABC News, the number of international students switching to this course increased eightfold between 2020 and 2025, reaching 4,000 individuals. However, nearly half of those approved in 2025 did not enroll. This course also exhibits a significantly lower graduation rate for international students compared to other VET programs.

Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill stated the government is taking action to ensure Australia remains a trusted global education destination, protect students, and prevent exploitation of the visa system. "Australia always welcomes genuine international students seeking high-quality education, and we must resolutely maintain a focus on quality, transparency, and the learner experience," he said.

This action aligns with recent legislative changes. Last year, Australia passed legislation allowing the Minister for Education to cancel or suspend a course if systemic issues in teaching are identified or if it does not align with skill needs and public interest. This legislation was introduced based on an investigative report by the former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner, which indicated that the visa system was being exploited and undermined by poor-quality VET providers.

The government's latest move comes as Australia's net overseas migration (NOM) remains over 300,000 individuals annually, while the target is to reduce it to 225,000 individuals in the next two years. Upcoming wide-ranging reforms are also expected to impose further restrictions on international students and their dependents, limit tourist visas to six months, prevent course switching (particularly from university degrees to vocational courses), and tighten visa applications submitted from within Australia.