Around 298,000 study visas for foreign students have been granted by Australia from October 2023 to August 2024, according to the figures from the Australian government.
These figures mark a 38 percent decrease compared to the statistics from the same period last year, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to the government of Australia’s figures, the vocational education and training sector experienced the most significant losses, with a total of 57 percent reduction in visas. At the same time, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students registered a total of 50 percent decline.
Higher education visas also saw a 25 percent decline during the same period.
According to a report from PIE News, the decline also differs among key markets. While the number of study visas granted to Filipino students marked a 67 percent decrease, those granted to Colombia and India registered declines of 62 percent and 56 percent, respectively. At the same time, study visas in Vietnam declined by 28 percent.
The decline in the number of issued visas in Australia over the past year is driven by several factors, among them the increased visa costs, stricter English-language and financial requirements, and shortened post-study work visas.
In spite of being subject to challenges, Australia continues to remain among the most favorite countries for international students. As of July, the number of international students in Australia reached about 944,000. Such a number represents an increase of 14 percent compared to the figures from the same period in 2023.
New Cap for International Students From 2025
Earlier this year, authorities in Australia announced the number of foreign students at universities and vocational training providers would be capped.
Australia’s authorities have also announced that the number of visas issued to this group of foreigners will be limited.
The proposal aims to limit the number of foreign students to 270,000 for the next year.
Now students are back. There are about ten percent more international students in our universities today than before the pandemic and about 50 percent more in our private vocational and training providers.
At the same time, authorities in Australia also announced that universities with a high number of foreign students will be subject to stricter growth limits.
Otherwise, about 30,000 of the student spaces available under the cap will be allocated to other universities and non-university providers, and about 95,000 will be allocated to the VET sector.
However, authorities in Australia confirmed that some exemptions would be applied in this regard.