Australia Eases Cap To Welcome 295,000 International Students In 2026

Australia's federal government has approved a 9% rise in the landscape of overseas student enrolments for 2026, a move that is anticipated to change the country's international education scene. The existing 2025 cap of 270,000 overseas students will be raised to 295,000 under the revised amount.

The choice is a component of Australia's larger reevaluation of its migration policy, which attempts to strike a balance between the expansion of its profitable education sector and the growing demands on housing, infrastructure, and student welfare.

The increase, according to Education Minister Jason Clare, shows a more measured approach to controlling the number of overseas students while yet encouraging the growth of the industry. “This is about making sure international education grows in a way that supports students, universities, and the national interest,” Clare noted in a statement released Monday.

Focus shifts to southeast asia

A key shift in the revised policy is the Australian government’s decision to prioritise students from Southeast Asian nations. Officials say this is part of a larger diplomatic effort to deepen regional ties and diversify student source countries—especially in light of Australia’s continued efforts to reduce its reliance on China.

Julian Hill, the Assistant Minister for Education, stressed the necessity of a more sustainable strategy. “The numbers were growing out of control,” Hill told ABC. “We’ve made some tough decisions over the past year to bring them down to a more sustainable level.”

Visa reforms already taking effect

The announcement follows a year of tighter immigration controls. In 2024, the government more than doubled student visa fees and rolled out reforms aimed at curbing the practice of continuous visa extensions. According to Hill, these measures are beginning to yield results, paving the way for a modest, controlled increase in international enrolments.

About two-thirds of the 295,000 student spots scheduled for 2026 will be given to universities, with the remaining third going to providers of vocational education and training (VET).

However, institutions will need to meet new criteria to benefit from the increased intake. Larger public universities, in particular, must now demonstrate they provide safe and secure housing for both international and domestic students.

As it changes its approach to international education, the 2026 student cap raise demonstrates a renewed, albeit cautious, commitment to maintaining Australia's position as a top study destination worldwide, while maintaining national infrastructure and student welfare as major priorities.