Australia Caps International Student Enrollment to Manage Migration and Housing Crisis

Australia plans to cap new international student enrollments at 270,000 for 2025 to manage record migration and soaring housing rental prices. The decision impacts both university and vocational course enrollments. Universities express concerns over the economic implications for the education sector, a significant contributor to Australia's economy.

Australia announced its decision to limit new international student enrollments to 270,000 for 2025, aiming to control record migration levels that have significantly driven up home rental prices. This new cap includes 145,000 university enrollments and 95,000 vocational course enrollments, reflecting around 2023 levels.

Education Minister Jason Clare highlighted a 10% increase in international university students and a 50% rise in private vocational and training providers' foreign students compared to pre-pandemic figures. He noted the government's plan to inform universities of specific enrollment caps soon.

Universities Australia expressed concerns over the financial impact on the sector, with Chair Professor David Lloyd criticizing the policy's potential economic repercussions. International education, Australia's fourth-largest export industry, contributed A$36.4 billion to the economy in the 2022-2023 financial year. The government also recently doubled visa fees for foreign students and moved to close loopholes that allowed extended stays.

(With inputs from agencies.)