Australia introduces cap on international students for 2025

Australia’s plan to cap the number of new international students to 270,000 starting in 2025 has sparked widespread concern within the education sector.

However, the proposal, which still needs parliamentary approval, is unlikely to have a significant impact on students from African countries planning to study in Australia.

The National Planning Level (NPL) for 2025, which includes the limit on the number of international student enrolments, aims to reduce overall migration to pre-pandemic levels.

Australian Minister for Education Jason Clare said the reforms will result in universities having 15% more international student enrolments than before the Covid-19 pandemic while “private vocational providers will be about 20% less”.

Publicly funded universities will take in about 145,000 new international students next year, which is consistent with 2023 levels, with another 95,000 allotted for vocational education and training (VET) courses.

During a press conference on 27 August, Clare said that the big winners were regional universities which could enrol more international students next year than last year. 

Despite these changes, Australia remains an attractive option for students from Africa.

The country has 43 universities and a reputation for ​​academic excellence. Most of its institutions are public universities offering a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs.

Students from African countries are increasingly opting to study abroad to obtain access to a wide range of courses, gain an internationally recognised qualification and build a global network.

Students need to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) to study in Australia. During your studies, you can also work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time and unlimited hours over the holidays.

Once you have graduated, Australia provides a Temporary Graduate visa that permits students to stay in the country for two years (or three years for PhD graduates).

If you study in a designated regional area, you can extend your stay by an extra one to two years. Additionally, Australia offers both employer-sponsored visas and skilled migration pathways that can lead to permanent residency and citizenship.

If you are considering studying in Australia, get in touch with Sable International’s experienced Study Abroad consultants who are happy to help you navigate the complex world of international education. Speak to them on +27 (0) 21 657 1543 or email study@sableinternational.com

Visit the Study Abroad Expo in Pretoria, Joburg, Durban or Stellenbosch from 2-5 September.  Meet universities, explore your options – for undergrad and postgrad – and receive real-time, expert advice.