Study visas approved by Australia drop by 38%

The vocational education and training sector suffered the most, with a 67% reduction in visas, while English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students saw a 50% drop. Higher education visas decreased by 25%, according to a report by PIE News.

The decline varied across key markets. The number of study visas granted to Filipino students fell by 67%, while Colombia and India recorded drops of 62% and 56%, respectively. In Vietnam, study visas decreased by 28%.

Over the past year, Australia's higher education sector has faced several challenges, including increased visa costs, stricter financial and English-language requirements and shortened post-study work visas.

Keri Ramirez, managing director of Studymove, described these policy changes as "disruptive" for the education sector, stating that providers are struggling to adapt. He said the visa application system was "unfair," citing the lack of clear criteria for applicants.

Studymove projected a 6.2% increase in international tuition fees in 2025, marking the highest rise since 2018. Universities are also shifting strategies, focusing on measures such as service diversification and expanding online courses to meet financial goals.

Despite these challenges, Australia remains a top destination for international students. As of July, the number of international students in Australia reached around 944,000, a 14% increase from the previous year. Vietnamese students constitute the fifth-largest group, with over 44,000 enrolled in the country.

Katherine Tranter, a senior official with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, last month noted a surge in visa applications from Vietnam, with 24,400 submitted last school year, a 30% increase from the previous year.

However, approval rates for Vietnamese applicants fell from 91% to 76%, the lowest in 18 years.

Tranter attributed the decline to applicants not being "honest about their reason for studying abroad."