Representational image of Australia’s overseas education orientation | Photo courtesy: The Hindu
Australia’s Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday (August 27, 2024) that Australia will only accept 2,70,000 foreign students in 2025.
Australia, a preferred destination for international candidates for higher studies and work, has decided to limit the admission of foreign students “in an effort to strengthen the integrity and stability of the international education sector”.
The media release published by the Australian Ministry of Education on Tuesday (August 27, 2024) said, “Subject to the passage of legislation before Parliament, this will set the national placement level (NPL) for new international student admissions at 270,000 for calendar year 2025.”
“This will mean some universities will have more students this year than next year, while others will have fewer,” Education Minister Jason Clare said at a news conference.
The decision aims to balance recent policy, as the ministry has prioritised students who are considered to have a low risk of visa non-compliance. This system has benefited top-ranked universities while significantly slowing down visa processing for other institutions
Foreign students will be worth more than A$42 billion (US$28 billion) to Australian universities and vocational education centres in 2023, according to official data.
The authority issued visas to over 5,77,000 international students in the financial year up to June 30, 2023.
“Arrangements for 2026 and beyond will enable sustained growth in the number of international students, ensuring the sustainability of the sector well into the future,” the press release said.
“International students were Australia’s second largest industry after mining, contributing more than half of the growth in the Australian economy last year,” Universities Australia president David Lloyd said.
‘Absolutely vital’
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that although the overseas student industry is “vital” to the country, universities should not rely too heavily on overseas students as this could impact migration.
Foreign students will be worth more than A$42 billion (US$28 billion) to Australian universities and vocational education centres in 2023, according to official data.
in the country earlier this year Foreign student visa fees doubled,
By July 2022, 96,000 Indian students studying in Australia were the second largest group of foreign students After China.
Official data released in March showed Net immigration rises 60% to a record 548,800 by September 30, 2023.
In May, the Australian government announced it would place limits on the number of international students international education providers can enrol.
,With inputs from AFP,