Australia tightens visa requirements, limits new student enrollments from 2025

Australia is set to implement significant changes to its international student policies, introducing new regulations aimed at reducing new enrollments and tightening visa requirements.

Starting January 1, 2025, international students will face stricter conditions for studying in Australia due to a new enrollment cap and revised visa standards, as reported by Financial Express.

Enrollment Cap Details

The upcoming policy changes include a National Planning Level (NPL) cap on new enrollments across various education sectors. This measure is designed to control the growth of international student numbers in the country.

The enrollment limits are set as follows:

• Public Universities: 145,000 students
• Private Universities and Non-University Higher Education Providers (NUHEPs): 30,000 students
• Vocational Education and Training (VET): 95,000 students

These limits will apply only to new students starting their first course in 2025 and will not affect current students or those enrolling in additional courses within the same year.

Stricter Visa Regulations

In addition to the enrollment cap, the Australian Government will implement tighter visa requirements from March 2024. The new Genuine Student (GS) requirement includes additional questions to assess the authenticity of applicants’ intentions to pursue higher education.

English language requirements have also been elevated, with updated IELTS scores as follows:

• Student Visa: Increased from 5.5 to 6.0
• ELICOS Course: Increased from 4.5 to 5.5
• University Foundation/Pathway: Increased from 5.0 to 5.5
• Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV): Increased from 6.0 to 6.5

These stricter requirements are expected to make it more challenging for prospective students to qualify for visas.

Changes to Post-Study Work Opportunities

Graduates who secure skilled employment during their post-study period may now qualify for the new Skills in Demand Visa, which offers up to four years of work authorization and could serve as a pathway to permanent residency for eligible candidates.

Industry Response and Broader Migration Strategy

The enrollment cap is part of Australia’s broader Migration Strategy introduced in December 2023. While the government aims to regulate the influx of international students, Australian universities have expressed concerns about the potential impact on the education sector and have urged the government to reconsider these changes.

These new policies reflect Australia’s effort to manage international student numbers more effectively, focusing on those who are genuinely committed to higher education and meet the heightened standards. Prospective students should prepare for more rigorous visa requirements and limited enrollment opportunities under the new rules.