From 2025 onwards, a limit on admission for international students will be in place. This decision, while necessary, is made with full acknowledgement of the potential impact on the international student community. The government, in its efforts to balance various factors, will also limit the intake for the number of student visas available for international students, a move that will be felt by many aspiring students.
Australia's latest policy reform will set a 270,000 visa cap for international students in 2025, with specific limits imposed on each institution.
This new limit, formally referred as the National Planning Level (NPL) for foreign student enrolments, will be allocated across the higher education and vocational educational sectors.
Australia Limits International Student Numbers.
Government data indicates that the new cap will allow approximately 145,000 international students to enrol in public universities and about 95,000 in vocational institutions. This represents a reduction of roughly 7,000 students compared to pre-pandemic figures and 53,000 fewer than the previous year.
Caps are set according to 2019 enrollment data, with adjustments for institutions that expanded between 2019 and 2023. Universities with larger international student populations will experience stricter growth controls.
Categories Excluded from the Student Cap
The government has clarified that specific sectors are not covered by the NPL, including:
- Schools
- Higher degree research programs
- Standalone English-language providers (ELICOS)
- Non-award programs
The Department of Home Affairs presented information showing that the number of student visas granted in the most recent financial year plunged by 60,000 compared to 2023.
Chair of Universities Australia, highlighted that visa grants for higher education have decreased by 23% compared to the previous year. This decrease has resulted in a $4.3 billion economic loss and created job losses for 14,000 jobs within the sector.
The government has commendably raised visa processing fees from $710 to $1,600, the most significant increase in five years. This recent change in the migration fee for student visa of Australia has already cut short offshore interest in vocational education, and upcoming updates later this year can dampen permanent migration opportunities for international students.
Specifically, 40% of prospective students from the Philippines and Malaysia have suggested they might rule out Australia as a study destination due to the increased visa fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the new cap for overseas students applying for Australian student visas in 2025?
The Australian government intends to keep international students at 270,000 by 2025. This new limit will be divided among the higher education and vocational sectors, with caps set for each institution.
- Which sectors are excluded from the National Planning Level (NPL) for international student enrolments?
The NPL does not apply to schools, higher degree research programs, standalone English-language providers (ELICOS), and non-award programs.
- Will the decrease in visa grants impact the higher education sector?
A recent cut in visa approvals has caused a 23% drop in higher education enrolments. - How will rising visa processing fees impact international students?
The recent government increase in visa processing fees from $710 to $1,600 is the largest hike in five years. This significant rise will undoubtedly concern international students, potentially leading them to consider other study destinations. It's important for students to be aware of these potential impacts as they make their decisions.
