Australia's International Student Caps: Which Universities Are Affected?
Australia reduces international student caps at 15 universities, with Sydney and Melbourne down by 7%. Critics call caps "arbitrary," fearing job losses and sector impact.
The recent changes to international student caps by the Australian government have sent ripples through the higher education sector, sparking widespread concerns and debates.
As of 2025, 15 universities across Australia will face reductions in their international student intake, with some of the country's most prestigious institutions like the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne seeing a 7% decrease. This means their new caps will be 11,900 and 9,300 international students, respectively.
Here is a summary of the universities affected by the new caps:
| University | Onshore International Proportion of Enrolments (2023) | 2019 Number of Overseas Student Commencements | 2023 Number of Overseas Student Commencements | Indicative 2025 Cap | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Catholic University | 13% | 1,273 | 1,580 | 1,700 | 7.5% |
| Australian National University | 40% | 2,807 | 3,972 | 3,400 | -14.5% |
| Central Queensland University | 23% | 3,752 | 2,948 | 3,000 | 2% |
| Charles Darwin University | 26% | 523 | 1,997 | 2,200 | 10% |
| Charles Sturt University | 2% | 2,994 | 162 | 1,000 | 517% |
| Curtin University | 17% | 2,118 | 3,646 | 3,500 | -4% |
| Deakin University | 21% | 5,768 | 5,448 | 5,800 | 6.5% |
| Edith Cowan University | 25% | 2,488 | 3,722 | 3,600 | -3% |
| Federation University Australia | 35% | 4,019 | 2,306 | 1,100 | -52% |
| Griffith University | 20% | 2,830 | 3,817 | 3,700 | -3% |
| James Cook University | 23% | 1,135 | 1,962 | 2,200 | 12% |
| La Trobe University | 21% | 3,660 | 4,095 | 4,100 | 0.1% |
| Macquarie University | 23% | 4,036 | 4,556 | 4,500 | -1% |
| Monash University | 33% | 9,998 | 8,310 | 10,000 | 20% |
| Murdoch University | 39% | 1,780 | 5,272 | 3,500 | -34% |
| Queensland University of Technology | 19% | 3,124 | 4,618 | 4,500 | -2.5% |
| RMIT University | 29% | 6,599 | 6,409 | 6,600 | 3% |
| Southern Cross University | 20% | 2,109 | 939 | 1,300 | 38% |
| Swinburne University of Technology | 24% | 2,397 | 4,681 | 4,500 | -4% |
| The University of Adelaide | 30% | 3,314 | 3,155 | 3,800 | 20% |
| The University of Melbourne | 41% | 8,600 | 10,000 | 9,300 | -7% |
| The University of New South Wales | 39% | 7,883 | 11,075 | 9,500 | -14% |
| The University of Queensland | 39% | 6,888 | 7,040 | 7,050 | 0.1% |
| The University of Sydney | 46% | 11,027 | 12,790 | 11,900 | -7% |
| The University of Western Australia | 25% | 1,536 | 2,742 | 3,000 | 9% |
| University of Canberra | 22% | 912 | 1,422 | 1,500 | 5% |
| University of the Sunshine Coast | 10% | 1,188 | 578 | 1,200 | 108% |
| University of Wollongong | 29% | 2,980 | 4,042 | 3,700 | -8% |
| Victoria University | 33% | 2,652 | 4,046 | 3,600 | -11% |
| Western Sydney University | 20% | 2,640 | 3,461 | 3,400 | -2% |
The Australian National University (ANU) stands out as one of the most affected, with its international student allocation set to decrease by over 14%, reducing its cap to 3,400 students.
The impact on Federation University Australia is even more severe, with a staggering 50% cut in its intake, limiting the university to only 1,100 students in 2025, down from 2,306 in 2023. This has raised alarms for institutions that rely heavily on international students for revenue and growth.
Conversely, some universities are seeing positive changes. Charles Sturt University, for instance, will enjoy a significant 517% increase in its cap, allowing for 1,000 students in 2025, up from just 162 in 2023. This sharp contrast in treatment between universities has led to concerns about the criteria used for determining these caps.
The introduction of Ministerial Direction 107 in December 2023, which prioritized students applying to low-risk institutions, has added another layer of complexity. The new direction has led to visa delays and rejections, particularly for students aiming to study at regional campuses, thereby putting additional strain on the education sector in those areas.
Critics of the new caps argue that they appear "random" and "arbitrary," raising concerns about potential job losses and the closure of independent colleges. Universities and industry spokespeople fear the long-term impact on Australia’s higher education sector, which has been a major driver of economic growth and cultural exchange. They argue that international students not only bring revenue but also contribute to the academic and cultural diversity of campuses across Australia.
The government's defense of the new caps hinges on the belief that this is a "fairer way" to manage international student enrolment, ensuring that regional universities benefit from increased student numbers. The idea is to create a more balanced distribution of international students across the country. However, with universities like Federation University Australia facing severe cuts, the policy's fairness is being questioned by many within the sector.
This policy shift comes at a time when Australia's international education sector is still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty surrounding visa processes, combined with these new caps, adds to the challenges universities face in attracting and retaining international students. The higher education sector remains in a state of flux, with institutions, students, and staff anxiously awaiting further clarity on the long-term implications of these changes.
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