Education Minister Jason Clare announced on the 27th of August that a cap on international students will be introduced for universities and VET providers for the 2025 induction.
The limit will be set to 270,000 for new international students in 2025, with no indication of how the numbers will be split.
Smaller universities have optimism on how their numbers will increase, whereas top universities Are opposed to the cap and are campaigning for the senate to reject the legislation that will support this.
Government numbers indicate the cap will see a pre-pandemic norm but will be 20% lower than recent years.
University officials suggest the cap will be fairer and more sustainable, however some others say it will crush small businesses that offer educational services.
Current International students have indicated they feel they aren’t welcome and would feel inclined to choose another placement if they had been in the position new international students would be in for the year coming if the legislation goes through.
International students don’t typically choose the country, they choose the university and the course, and if they’re not getting their preference they’ll go to some other country.