Record number of international students in Australia

Australia is a destination country that is in demand for international students seeking education. Pre-covid the international education sector was Australia's fourth-largest export, roughly worth over $40 billion annually.

And now for the first time, Australia has exceeded 700,000 international students according to data by the Home Affairs Department as of Feb 29th with 713,144 international students in the country. It boasts another record with 2.8 million temporary entrants in the country, with international students representing 25 percent of that figure.

Refusal rates of visa applications are skyrocketing at a two-decade high with a potential projected $300 million in lost revenue for 2024. From November 2023 to February 2024, there were more than 50,000 international student visa application rejections.

This impacts countries and regions differently, while India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have all seen acceptance percentages fall. China has seen its offshore visa rates steady in comparison with some only receiving delays in the process.

University of Western Australia Riverside

With new restrictions in place for providers and students, the government is tightening its migration system to enhance the integrity of international education. The inclusion of genuine student testing, increased language requirements, and cracking down on fraudulent institutions support this.

Amid the housing crisis, students and migrants face potential problems finding accommodation, Domain reports the national vacancy rate has hit a record low of 0.7 percent.

Education providers like the University of Tasmania have gone as far as selling two apartment buildings as they plan for a future with fewer international students. Figures highlight a 40% decline in enrolled international students at UTAS from 6,322 in 2019 to 3,769 in 2022.

The Government has committed to building 1.2 million new homes over five years.

Being a genuine student with sufficient proof of savings, adequate language capabilities, and intent to study in Australia is at a premium.