Dutton Plans to Reduce the Number of International Students Coming to Australia
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is intensifying his efforts to decrease the number of international students in Australia as the federal election draws near.
Previously, Dutton has expressed concerns about the high number of international students in Australia, linking it to the housing crisis and proposing a nationwide cap.
With the election approaching, the Coalition has specified their plan to reduce international student commencements in public universities by at least 30,000 per year.
In a joint media release, Dutton stated, “In some courses at Australian universities, up to 80 percent of students are international students.”
The Coalition aims to cap international student commencements at 115,000 for public universities and 125,000 for the VET, private university, and non-university higher education sectors.
The plan is projected to result in a reduction of over 80,000 annual overseas student commencements compared to 2023.
To achieve this, the Coalition plans to implement a percentage cap of approximately 25 percent on new foreign commencements at public universities starting in 2026.
This cap will primarily impact metropolitan universities, where housing and infrastructure pressures are most significant.
Specifically, Group 8 universities, known for their research-intensive focus and international partnerships, will be affected by the reduction in international students.
In response, the Coalition also intends to raise the student visa application charge for Group 8 universities and introduce additional charges for changing education providers.
Furthermore, they plan to review Temporary Graduate Visas to address misuse and ensure they are not exploited as a pathway to permanent migration through post-study work arrangements.
