Photo File – University of Melbourne

Melbourne – Australia is set to introduce a cap on the number of new international students it will accept, limiting enrolments to 270,000 for 2025 as part of a broader effort to reduce overall migration to pre-pandemic levels.

The move, announced by the Australian government on Tuesday, will impose individual restrictions on higher education institutions, with the most significant reductions affecting both higher and vocational education training providers. Under the new policy, enrolments at public universities will be reduced to 145,000 in 2025, a figure that mirrors their 2023 levels.

Private universities and non-university higher education providers will be permitted to enroll 30,000 new international students, while vocational education and training institutions will be limited to 95,000 new enrolments. Education Minister Jason Clare stated that the policy would include incentives for universities to build more housing for international students, addressing concerns over the impact of migration on housing and infrastructure.

However, these measures have done little to assuage the concerns of the tertiary education sector. The decision has ignited widespread criticism across the industry. Leading universities, particularly those in the prestigious Group of 8, have condemned the cap as “economic vandalism,” arguing that it will severely damage the sector. Private education providers have also expressed strong opposition, warning that the restrictions will harm Australia’s reputation as a global education destination.

Higher education providers argue that the industry is being unfairly scapegoated for broader housing and migration issues, and warn that the cap could decimate a sector that was worth A$36.4 billion (£18.7 billion, $24.7 billion) to the Australian economy in 2022-23, making it the country’s fourth-largest export that year.

The changes have been met with an outcry on social media, where the government’s actions have been denounced as shortsighted and detrimental to Australia’s international standing.

Many in the industry argue that the cap will not only hurt the economy but also undermine the quality and diversity of the student population. Education Minister Clare defended the decision, stating that while higher education was hard-hit during the pandemic, the sector has since rebounded, with international student numbers now 10% higher at universities and 50% higher at private vocational and training providers compared to pre-Covid levels.

“Students are back, but so are the shonks,” Mr. Clare said, referencing concerns over unethical practices by some education providers. The government has accused certain institutions of enrolling students who lack the necessary language skills, providing substandard education, or accepting individuals primarily interested in working rather than studying.

The new reforms, according to Mr. Clare, aim to create a more sustainable and fairer system. They are also intended to address record migration levels, which have exacerbated Australia’s housing and infrastructure challenges. In addition to the cap, the government has announced tougher English-language requirements for international students and increased scrutiny of second study visa applications, while cracking down on “dodgy” providers.

Despite the government’s assurances, the tertiary education sector remains deeply concerned about the long-term implications of these changes, as the debate continues to escalate online and within the broader community.