Australia is tightening its grip on international student visas, capping new enrollments at 270,000 in 2025—a dramatic reduction from the 400,000 students accepted in 2023. The move, announced by Education Minister Jason Clare, is aimed at curbing record migration and alleviating pressure on the country’s strained rental market.

“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 briefing. “These reforms are designed to make the system more sustainable and equitable for the future.”

The Australian government will impose individual enrollment limits on universities and vocational institutions to ensure compliance. Currently, there are approximately 718,000 international students in Australia, with the majority hailing from China, India, and Nepal.

This decision follows earlier measures introduced in December 2023, which tightened visa scrutiny for graduates and raised the required English proficiency scores for new students. The changes are part of a broader effort to reduce unethical practices within the international education sector, such as luring students with false job promises or offering discounts in exchange for recruiting peers.

Australia’s visa cap echoes similar restrictions in Canada, where the government aims to cut the number of international study permits by 35% to address housing affordability issues. Other countries, including the UK and the US, have also introduced measures to control the influx of foreign students, driven by concerns over the impact on local economies and job markets.

Global Trend of Visa Restrictions
International students are feeling the squeeze worldwide as countries like Canada, the UK, and the US implement stringent immigration policies. In the UK, family members are now banned from accompanying international students, leading to a forecast of 140,000 fewer people entering the country. Meanwhile, the US has seen a drop in foreign enrollments due to visa challenges and a decline in post-graduation job opportunities.

As global hotspots like Germany, New Zealand, and Ireland rise in popularity for international education, students may begin to look beyond traditional destinations.