Australia has long been a preferred destination for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad. However, recent policy shifts in Australian immigration and education have introduced substantial challenges, particularly for applicants from certain Indian regions. These developments have created uncertainty among students and raised concerns within the broader academic community.
In early 2024, several Australian universities introduced restrictions that affect students from specific Indian states. Federation University in Victoria, for example, announced a temporary suspension of student applications from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. The university attributed this move to a high incidence of visa refusals from these regions, which was a major change from the previous inclusive admissions practices.
This institutional tightening coincides with a major increase in student visa fees. As of July 2024, the Australian government raised the charge for student visa applications from AUD 710 to AUD 1,600 (USD 456 to USD 1,028), representing more than a 125% surge. This steep increase has raised affordability concerns among Indian families, many of whom already stretch finances to fund overseas education.
Adding further complexity, the Australian government introduced an annual cap on international student enrollments. For the year 2025, only 270,000 new international student places will be available. This quota is distributed among public universities (145,000), vocational education institutions (95,000), and private or non-university providers (30,000). This policy aims to control population growth in metropolitan areas and reduce pressure on urban infrastructure, but it may also limit opportunities for international aspirants.
These changes have had a measurable impact on application trends. Between July and August 2024, visa applications from Indian students declined by 66.4%, reflecting the growing hesitancy among prospective students. Manisha Sharma, team leader at StudyNet, an Australian technology-driven student placement service, noted a clear shift in student behavior. According to her, interest in Australian education remains strong, but students from impacted regions are now more cautious, with many reconsidering their options or postponing their plans.
Nonetheless, students from unaffected areas or those with strong academic records and financial backing continue to pursue Australian education. Sharma also reported a rise in inquiries about specific institutional policies, post-study work opportunities, and recent visa approval trends. She emphasized the importance of strengthening Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statements and maintaining financial and academic consistency in light of the more stringent scrutiny. Despite these challenges, Indian students continue to play a vital role in Australia’s international education sector. In February 2025 alone, over 2,734 Indian students were granted visas, surpassing China as the largest contributor to Australia’s international student population. This figure aligns with broader enrollment trends: in the 12 months leading up to December 2024, Australia recorded 1,095,298 international student enrollments—a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2019.
Experts attribute India’s sustained growth in enrollments to Australia’s reputation for high-quality education, relatively favorable post-study work rights, and a welcoming multicultural environment. Key cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide remain top choices for Indian students due to their academic offerings and cultural diversity. Melbourne, in particular, attracts a significant portion of Indian migrants, with 36% of Australia’s Indian population choosing to reside there.
Adelaide has also gained popularity, partly due to state-level initiatives aimed at increasing its appeal to international students. Measures such as establishing direct air routes with Indian cities have supported this growth. The 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that nearly 42,933 Indian-born individuals resided in Greater Adelaide, comprising 3.1% of the city’s population. While the Australian government’s policies are geared toward managing infrastructure and educational quality, their long-term implications on enrollment patterns remain to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Indian students continue to contribute significantly to Australia’s international education landscape, even amid growing restrictions.
