Australia to cap international student numbers by 2025

On August 27, Australia announced it will limit the number of international students admitted to 270,000 by 2025, as the government seeks to curb record immigration that has contributed to rising rental prices.

The number of international students coming to Australia has surged since the country reopened its borders after the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: PA

This decision follows a series of actions since 2023 aimed at ending preferential treatment for foreign students and workers in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to SBS News, this limit will allow 145,000 enrollments in public universities, 95,000 places for international students in vocational education and training (VET), and 30,000 places at other universities and training institutions.

Speaking at a press conference, Australian Education Minister Jason Clare said: “The number of international students studying at universities is now about 10% higher than before the pandemic, while the rate at private training and vocational institutions is around 50% higher.”

Education is one of Australia's largest sources of foreign exchange earnings, contributing US$24.7 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year. However, opinion polls show that voters are concerned that the influx of international students and workers will put excessive pressure on the housing market, making immigration a major contentious issue among candidates in the upcoming election, which is less than a year away.

HANH CHI

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/australia-gioi-han-so-luong-sinh-vien-quoc-te-trong-nam-2025-post755905.html