Amid a surge in international student enrollment, Australia saw a record high of 1.1 million international students by the end of 2024, marking a significant increase from pre-pandemic levels. The Department of Education’s latest data revealed a robust influx of students, with graduate visas peaking at 222,200 in Q1 2025, more than double the figures from 2019.
Moreover, bridging visas also reached a record high of 379,800, partly attributed to former students opting to stay in Australia and challenging their return through the Administrative Review Tribunal. Despite speculations on government-imposed caps affecting international student numbers, recent research by Studyportals highlighted Australia as the sole major destination experiencing a rise in international student demand in the first quarter of 2025.
The Studyportals report, based on feedback from 240 institutions across 48 countries, emphasized Australia’s 8% surge in international student demand this year, showcasing its appeal in the global education landscape. Undergraduate enrollments in Australia soared by 9%, with a majority of institutions reporting growth, while postgraduate enrollments witnessed a 13% decline despite some institutions reporting increases.
As Australia navigates this influx of international students, the reelected Labor government faces calls to prioritize quality over quantity in visa regulations. Proposed reforms include elevating English-language proficiency standards, enhancing financial prerequisites, restricting work hours for overseas students, and cracking down on substandard private colleges functioning as visa conduits.
Additionally, the government is urged to refine the appeals process at the Administrative Review Tribunal to deter temporary migrants from exploiting loopholes to extend their stay post-visa expiration. These measures aim to streamline the migration system, elevate standards, and curtail the number of international students and visa holders, fostering a more sustainable and productive framework.
Leith van Onselen, Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super, advocates for these reforms to align Australia’s migration policies with quality benchmarks. With a background in the Australian Treasury and Goldman Sachs, van Onselen brings a wealth of expertise to the discourse on international student trends and their implications for Australia’s economic landscape.
As Australia grapples with the complexities of international student inflows and visa regulations, the spotlight remains on balancing growth with regulatory efficacy. The evolving dynamics of the global education sector and the interplay of migration policies underscore the need for strategic reforms to uphold standards, enhance productivity, and nurture a dynamic and inclusive educational environment.
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