Australia will limit new international student enrolments to 270,000 in 2025 to curb record migration, which has led to rising rental prices. The cap includes restrictions on university and vocational course enrolments.
Bollywood Fever: Australia announced on Tuesday that it will limit the enrolment of new international students to 270,000 in 2025 as part of a broader effort to control record migration levels, which have been contributing to soaring rental prices across the country.
The decision comes after a series of measures aimed at ending COVID-era concessions that allowed foreign students and workers easier access to Australia during strict border controls.
Education Minister Jason Clare highlighted the sharp increase in international student numbers since the pandemic. “There’s about 10% more international students in our universities today than before the pandemic, and about 50% more in our private vocational and training providers,” Clare stated during a press conference.
The cap for new international student enrolments will be set at 145,000 for universities—reflecting 2023 levels—and 95,000 for vocational and training courses.
These restrictions are intended to stabilize the influx of foreign students, which has surged significantly over the past few years.
Universities across Australia will receive specific enrolment caps from the government. While acknowledging the government’s authority to regulate migration numbers, Universities Australia expressed concern over the impact on the education sector. “We acknowledge the government’s right to control migration numbers, but this should not be done at the expense of any one sector, particularly one as economically important as education,” said Professor David Lloyd, Chair of Universities Australia, in a statement.
International education is a critical component of Australia’s economy, ranking as the fourth-largest export behind iron ore, gas, and coal. In the 2022-2023 financial year, the sector contributed A$36.4 billion ($24.7 billion) to the Australian economy.
However, public sentiment around immigration has grown increasingly wary, with many voters concerned that the influx of foreign students and workers is putting undue pressure on the housing market.
This issue is likely to become a significant point of contention in the upcoming elections, which are less than a year away.
Net immigration in Australia reached a record high in the year leading up to September 30, 2023, increasing by 60% to a staggering 548,800 people.
The majority of this growth was driven by students from India, China, and the Philippines, surpassing the 518,000 people recorded in the year ending June 2023.
In response to the surge in migration, the Australian government has taken additional steps, including more than doubling the visa fees for foreign students and closing loopholes that allowed students to continuously extend their stay in the country.
These measures, along with the new enrolment caps, aim to address the challenges posed by the rapid increase in international student numbers while balancing the economic benefits they bring to Australia.
Also Read Other Articles, China Condemns U.S. Sanctions Over Ukraine War Ahead of Jake Sullivan’s Beijing Visit
SAS Reaches Wage Agreement with Norwegian Cabin Crew, Ending Strike That Grounded Flights
Jake Sullivan Heads to Beijing for High-Stakes Talks with Chinese Officials Amid Rising Tensions
