Australian Study Visas decline 38% Amid Policy Changes

Market instability and changing migration rules are causing unparalleled disruption in Australia’s higher education system. According to the most recent data, the number of applications for student visas fell by 38% between October 2023 and August 2024. Market-specific variations in this decline raise questions over Australia’s ability to compete in the global education market.

Ministerial Direction 107 is largely to blame for the 67% drop in study visas, which has disproportionately affected the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. This regulation, which went into effect in December 2023, increased the examination of applicants for student visas from overseas. Study permits for English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) have been significantly decreased by 50%. In the meantime, study visas for the higher education industry have dropped by 25%. Different international markets are affected by these policy changes in quite different ways. The only exception is Bangladesh, which reported a slight 3% rise in student visas. The Philippines (67%), India (56%), Colombia (62%), Nepal (53%), Brazil (46%), Indonesia (32%), Vietnam (28%), Sri Lanka (26%), and China and Japan (7% each) have all seen sharp drops, in contrast.

One of the main causes of this decline, according to experts, is the cumulative effect of policy changes. Direction from the Minister Uncertainty has been brought about by 107’s heightened examination of offshore applications as well as the upcoming ESOS Bill’s proposed caps on international students. Increased financial restrictions, stricter English language standards, shorter post-study work visa terms and more than doubled visa expenses are further factors.

Australia’s education system has suffered as a result of these reforms. The decline in overseas enrollment puts a great deal of financial strain on institutions. The industry’s capacity to draw in top individuals and be competitive globally is at risk. Stakeholders call on policymakers to reconsider how immigration and education objectives are balanced as Australia’s education sector works through these difficulties. Resilience of the industry depends on its ability to adjust to these developments while reviving its appeal on a global scale. Australia needs to deal with these interruptions in order to regain its place in the cutthroat international education market, since international student commencements fell 11% in the second half of 2024.