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Australia Raises 2026 International Student Cap to 295,000 as US Enrollment Faces Steep Drop

Education minister Jason Clare says the managed-growth plan ties new student places to universities’ housing capacity with expanded Southeast Asia engagement.

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An Emirati student arrives at the building of the University of Wollongong in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 28, 2009.
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FILE - Graduating students take photos outside Senate House at Cambridge University, England, May 17. 2024. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP, File)

Overview

  • Australia will allow 295,000 international students in 2026, up from the 270,000 cap set for 2025.
  • Students moving from Australian secondary schools to public universities or TAFE institutions are exempt from the national cap.
  • Universities can apply for additional international spots by proving they can secure housing for all students and deepen ties with Southeast Asia.
  • NAFSA projects a 30–40% decline in new US international student enrollment this fall after paused visa interviews and new social media vetting, endangering $7 billion in spending and 60,000 jobs.
  • Stricter US visa measures have driven transfer inquiries at Hong Kong universities and fueled application growth in UK undergraduate programs.