Australia Caps International Student Intake at 270,000 for 2025
Australia has announced that it will limit international student intake to 270,000 in 2025. This decision comes as the country seeks to manage record migration levels and escalating housing rental prices.
Impact on Indian Students
Indian students, particularly those from Punjab, will feel the brunt of this new policy. Australia has long been a favored destination for Indian students pursuing higher education. However, the reduced intake could now pose significant challenges.
Details of the Cap
In 2022, Australia capped foreign student intake at 510,000. This number was reduced to 375,000 in 2023. Now, Australia plans to bring the figure down to 270,000 in 2025. The cap will apply to both higher education and vocational training courses. Universities will receive specific quotas, which they will then allocate to different countries and states.
February Intake Affected
The announcement will affect students who planned to enroll in February 2025. Sunil Jaggi, a member of the Migration Agents Registration Authority of Australia, highlighted that students from Punjab would be the most impacted. These students may now need to reconsider their plans or seek alternative destinations for their studies.
Student Concerns
Students have expressed deep concern over this development. For instance, a student from Haryana who planned to study nursing in Australia worries about how this will affect her future. Her family has taken out loans to cover the high cost of education in Australia. She, along with others, believes the Indian government should intervene and discuss the issue with Australian authorities.
Previous Agreements and Student Population
Last year, during his visit to India, Australia’s Education Minister signed an agreement to expand access to Australian higher education institutions for Indian students. However, this new cap could hinder the progress of that initiative. Currently, around 122,000 Indian students are studying in Australia, making it the fourth most popular destination for Indian students after Canada, the US, and the UK.
Visa Fee Increase
In addition to capping student numbers, Australia has raised the non-refundable visa fee for foreign students from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600. This move appears aimed at further controlling migration levels.
Canada Follows Suit
Canada, another popular destination for Indian students, has also introduced new restrictions. Starting September 26, businesses in Canada will only be allowed to fill up to 10% of their workforce with low-wage foreign workers, down from the previous 20%. This change comes in response to rising unemployment rates, which have climbed to 6.4%, with younger workers facing an unemployment rate of 14.2%.
Australia and Canada’s tighter immigration and visa regulations signal a global shift that could significantly affect students and workers from India and other countries.
