New Rules for International Students in Australia: Cap, Visa Fees, and More

There’s been a major announcement in Australia that could change the way international education works in the country. Peter Dutton, the leader of the Opposition party, has suggested new rules to limit the number of international students coming to Australia. This is part of his party’s new immigration plan. His proposal has caused a lot of discussion and arguments, especially among people in the education and housing sectors.

What Is Being Suggested?

The main idea behind this plan is to help solve Australia’s housing crisis. Many people are finding it hard to find affordable places to live, especially in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The new plan wants to control how many international students come in each year. It also wants to raise the cost of student visas, especially for well-known universities.

Main Points of the Plan:

1. Student Number Limit (Cap):
The total number of international students allowed into Australia each year would be reduced to 240,000. This is less than the 270,000 that the current government (Labor party) plans for 2025.

2. Public Universities:

These schools can only have international students make up 25% of their total students.
Each year, 115,000 new international students would be allowed to join these universities.

3. Private Colleges and VET (Vocational Education and Training) Institutions:

Up to 125,000 international students can join private and vocational schools each year.

4. Higher Visa Fees for Famous Universities:
One of the most debated parts of the plan is the big increase in visa application fees.

Students who want to study at top universities (like the University of Sydney or the University of Melbourne) would need to pay $5,000 to apply.
Students applying to other universities or colleges would pay $2,500.

The Coalition says this will make universities rely less on international student money and help ease the pressure on the housing market.

Changes to Post-Graduation Work Visas

The plan also includes changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa. This visa lets students stay in Australia after they finish their studies and work for a while. But the Coalition believes this system is being misused by people who want to use it as a way to get permanent residency.

The new changes could include:

Making it harder for students to stay long-term.
Only giving work visas to students who have skills that Australia really needs.
Stopping people from using student visas just to find jobs.

Strong Opposition from Education Experts

Many university leaders and education experts in Australia are against this proposal. Some say it reminds them of strict rules in the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency. They worry that such rules could hurt Australia’s image as a friendly place for international students.

Here are some of their concerns:

Fewer international students might mean less cultural diversity on campuses.
Universities could lose a lot of money because fewer students will enroll.
Australia may no longer be seen as a welcoming and world-class education destination.

Why Is the Coalition Doing This?

Peter Dutton and the Coalition say the main reason for these changes is to fix the housing crisis. They believe that the high number of international students makes it harder for locals, especially young Australians, to find homes to rent. Cutting student numbers, they argue, will reduce the demand for housing in big cities.

What Should International Students Do?

The next federal election in Australia is on May 3, and more details about the plan are expected soon. For now, students who want to study in Australia should:

Apply as early as possible before the new rules and visa fees start.
Keep an eye on official news from the government and universities.
Look into other countries or schools that may have easier rules and lower costs.

This is a very important moment for international education in Australia. The decisions made in the coming weeks and months could shape the country’s future as a top study destination for years to come.