Australia has decided to limit the number of new international students to 270,000 in 2025. This decision is meant to help with problems like too many people moving to Australia and rising rent costs.
This choice comes after people in Australia said they were having a hard time finding places to rent. Right now, the average rent in Australia is $627 a week. In Sydney, it’s $770, and in Hobart, it’s $547.
According to Reuters, Australia made this decision after changing rules last year that were in place during COVID-19. These old rules made it easier for businesses to hire people living in Australia when the borders were closed.
Last year, Australia allowed international students to work just like local workers. They could work up to 48 hours every two weeks during school time and full-time during holidays.
Because of this, more international students and workers wanted to come to Australia, adding to the number of people moving there. The number of people moving to Australia hit a record high of 548,800 in the year ending September 30, 2023, which is 60% more than the previous year. Now, Australia is trying to limit this number.
To study in Australia, according to ApplyBoard, you need to show that you have A$29,710 to cover one year of living expenses. If you have a partner or children, you need extra money: A$10,394 for a partner and A$4,449 per child.
Why Did This Happen?
Education Minister Jason Clare explained that there are more international students now than before the pandemic. Universities have about 10% more students, and private vocational schools have about 50% more.
Clare said, “There’s about 10% more international students in our universities today than before the pandemic, and about 50% more in our private vocational and training providers.”
The new rule will keep university enrolments at 145,000, the same as 2023, and vocational school enrolments at 95,000.
Clare mentioned that universities would soon learn how many new students they are allowed to accept.
Universities Australia is worried about this new rule. Chair Professor David Lloyd said, “We know the government wants to control migration, but it shouldn’t hurt our education sector, which is very important for our economy.”
Key Points
Reuters also said that international education is very important for Australia’s economy. It brought in A$36.4 billion ($24.7 billion) in the 2022-2023 financial year, making it the fourth-largest export after iron ore, gas, and coal.
Even though international education is important, people in Australia are still worried about the impact of foreign students and workers on the housing market. This issue might be important in the next election.