Australia announced on Tuesday, August 27th, that it will limit the number of new international students enrolling in 2025 to 270,000. This decision is part of the government's efforts to control record migration that has led to rising home rental prices.

The decision comes after a series of measures to reverse COVID-era concessions for foreign students and workers that were introduced to support local businesses during strict border closures. These concessions had allowed an increase in the number of international students in the country.

Education Minister Jason Clare stated in a press conference, "There’s about 10 percent more international students in our universities today than before the pandemic, and about 50 percent more in our private vocational and training providers."

Under the new cap, educational universities will be allowed to enroll 145,000 new international students, a figure consistent with 2023 levels, while practical and skills-based courses will be capped at 95,000. The government will notify universities of their specific enrollment limits, Clare added.

The number of international students enrolling in and starting courses reflects the level of study undertaken on a student visa. Because students may study multiple courses in different fields during a set period, the enrollment and commencement figures will always exceed the student count.