Visa cap causes concern
Print
The Albanese Government’s cap on international student numbers has drawn backlash from universities and academics.
The Government this week announced a plan to cap international student enrolments at 270,000 in 2025.
The policy seeks to manage sector sustainability by limiting the number of international students that universities and vocational education providers can enrol.
Public universities will be capped at 145,000 new students, while private institutions and non-university providers will be limited to 30,000. The vocational education and training (VET) sector will face a cap of 95,000.
Education Minister Jason Clare has defended the policy as necessary to curb exploitation in the sector, particularly within private VET providers.
However, the Group of Eight (Go8) universities strongly oppose the caps, arguing that they will “punish” institutions that have been most successful in attracting top global talent.
Vicki Thomson, CEO of the Go8, says that the policy will further damage Australia's international education reputation, which has already suffered due to previous government measures.
Academic experts have also voiced concerns.
Professor Andrew Norton from the Australian National University has warned that the caps could force universities to reject students they would normally accept, potentially leaving many unable to fill their quotas.
Professor Gwilym Croucher of the University of Melbourne described Australia’s approach as more “bureaucratic” than those in Canada and the UK, suggesting it could set a troubling precedent in government control over education.
Professor David Lloyd, chair of Universities Australia, has criticised the policy as a “handbrake” on Australia’s “second biggest export industry”, arguing that it could stifle sector growth and fail to address broader structural issues.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has warned that the caps could lead to job losses, with President Alison Barnes urging the government to prevent universities from using the policy as an excuse to cut staff.
The policy has also sparked fears that it could deter top-tier international students from applying to Australian universities, especially prestigious institutions in major cities.
Experts warn that this could reduce the diversity and quality of students, harming the educational experience in Australia.
As the Senate reviews the legislation, many are calling for revisions to allow greater flexibility and address the diverse needs of Australia’s higher education institutions. =