Australia’s International Student Caps: Which Universities Are Affected?

Australia lowers the cap on foreign students at fifteen institutions, with a 7% reduction in Sydney and Melbourne. Critics refer to caps as “arbitrary,” citing concerns about the impact on the industry and employment losses.

The Australian government’s recent adjustments to the cap on international students have caused a stir in the higher education industry and given rise to many discussions and worries.

The number of overseas students admitted to 15 Australian universities would drop by 7% by 2025, including some of the most esteemed schools in the nation, such the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne. This indicates that 11,900 and 9,300 international students, respectively, will be their new caps.

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%


Among those most impacted is the Australian National University (ANU), whose quota of 3,400 students will see a fall in its allotment of overseas students of more than 14%.

Even worse hit is Federation University Australia, which will only accept 1,100 students in 2025 as opposed to 2,306 in 2023 due to an astounding 50% reduction in enrolment. Concerns have been raised by this for universities whose growth and income are greatly dependent on foreign students.

On the other hand, there have been improvements at several universities. For example, Charles Sturt University will see a notable 517% growth in its cap, enabling 1,000 students in 2025 as opposed to just 162 in 2023. Concerns have been raised over the standards utilized to determine these caps as a result of the stark differences in treatment amongst colleges.

Another degree of complexity was introduced in December 2023 with the passage of Ministerial Direction 107, which gave priority to students applying to low-risk universities. Particularly for students hoping to attend regional schools, the new course has resulted in visa delays and denials, adding to the burden already placed on the local education system.

The new caps are being criticized for appearing “random” and “arbitrary,” which has some worried about possible job losses and the closing of independent universities. Spokesman’s for universities and business are concerned about the long-term effects on Australia’s higher education system, which has been a key engine of both economic expansion and cross-cultural interaction. They contend that in addition to generating income, foreign students enhance the intellectual and cultural diversity found on Australian campuses.

The rationale behind the government’s support for the new caps is that it’s a “fairer way” to control the enrolment of international students, meaning that more students will benefit regional universities. The goal is to distribute foreign students throughout the nation in a more equitable manner. However, many in the industry are questioning the fairness of the strategy given the drastic cuts being made to universities like Federation University Australia.

Australia’s overseas education industry is still recuperating from the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects, which coincides with this legislative change. The unpredictability of immigration procedures coupled with these new limitations makes it more difficult for colleges to draw in and keep overseas students. The higher education industry is still in a state of flux, and organizations, employees, and students are all eager to learn more about the long-term effects of these developments.