14 Sep 2026 • 7 views

Australia Raises International Student Cap to 295,000 for 2026 Intake

TODAY 14 September 2026 - Sydney - Australian Government confirms national planning level rises 9% to 295,000 new international students for 2026, up from 270,000 limit set for 2025.

Breakdown of 295,000 Places 2026

Sector	Quota
Public Universities	145,000 - University of Sydney 11,900 highest, Monash 11,300, Melbourne 10,500
Vocational VET	95,000
Private Universities	30,000

Southeast Asia Priority

Education Minister Jason Clare: "This is about making sure international education grows in a way that supports students, universities and national interest." Government prioritises Southeast Asian applicants to reduce reliance on China.

Harsh Reality - Costs Rising

• Visa fee: AU$2,500 (~US$1,734) highest among Big Four - doubled in 2024, +25% in 2026
• Financial proof: AU$29,710 up 20% required from May 2024
• English: IELTS 5.5-6.0 raised to 6.0-6.5, post-study work 4-6 years cut to 2-4 years
• Actual commencements DOWN 8% vs 2025 despite higher cap - Studymove data shows ceiling ~210k only, 13% lower than 2019

Source: Dept of Education Australia TODAY 14 Sept 2026

Enjoyed this update?

Join 1000+ students on Campus Linc Global Network - Get R500 FREE

🚀 Join Campus Linc - FREE

✅ Free Account • ✅ R500 Bonus • ✅ 22 Posts Daily