Australian universities warn against Coalition plan to cut foreign student numbers
Australia's opposition Coalition unveiled a plan to permanently cut foreign student numbers. Universities warned the move would shake an education export sector worth about 18 billion euros a year. The government said the current framework would remain in place.
According to ABC News, Australia's opposition Coalition has proposed a permanent cap on annual foreign student numbers ahead of federal elections. The plan includes per-university quotas for postgraduate and undergraduate enrolments and a new oversight framework for vocational education centres. The opposition cited housing pressures and city infrastructure strain.
Universities Australia said the country's economy earned about 18 billion euros from international education in 2025 and that the sector directly supports 250,000 jobs. The group warned a permanent cap would particularly hit research budgets and regional campuses.
The Labor government said the existing temporary cap is sufficient and that no further restrictions are needed. The education minister said a new data-based framework would be announced next year after consultations with the sector. Investors will watch share movements in listed sector firms such as IDP Education.
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