Cap on international students could hurt Australia's reputation, economy

Kanchan Adhikari, a student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in the suburbs of Australia's Sydney, expressed her dismay over the Australian government's recent policy changes.

- Vikrant Jha

"I chose Australia because it has always been perceived as a welcoming country for international students. However, recent changes - such as the doubling of student visa fees and the new cap on student admissions are shifting that perception. I will be advising my friends in India to reconsider plans to study here," Adhikari told The Free Press Journal.

The Australian government, in a significant policy shift, introduced a new cap on international students last week, limiting the number of new admissions to 2,70,000 starting from 2025. This policy change comes on the back of a significant increase in visa fees, which includes a more than two-fold hike in the cost of student visas. These are expected to have profound effects on Australia's global reputation and its economic landscape.

Aman Goyal, another CSU student, also reflected on the implications of these new policies. "When I was still in India, Australia was seen as a highly desirable destination due to its welcoming environment for international students. Now, it feels like the country is backpedaling. After initially encouraging students to come here to help address financial issues, the government is imposing a cap. It's troubling to see such conflicting policies that undermine the very students they once welcomed," Goyal remarked to The Free Press Journal.

What are the changes?