Australia Caps International Student Numbers for 2025

Australia will cap the number of new international students at 270,000 for the year 2025, with 145,000 slots for universities and 95,000 for vocational training, according to Education Minister Jason Clare. This decision aims to address public concerns over rising housing costs linked to record migration levels, as net immigration reached an all-time high of 548,800 in September 2023. The government intends to create a more sustainable and fair system for international education, which contributed $24.7 billion to the economy in 2022-2023. However, universities and educational bodies have expressed concerns that these caps could negatively impact the sector's growth and research capabilities. The announcement comes as Australia follows other countries like Canada and the UK in tightening immigration policies related to education. Public sentiment has shifted against high migration levels, with 42% of Australians reporting negative impacts on the country, particularly regarding housing.