Australia is one of the major international countries that students consider when opting for higher studies. To open doors for a larger number of students, Australia has recently announced that it will increase the foreign student cap by 9%, reaching up to 2,95,000 by 2026. In comparison, Australia had strict immigration rules and set a limit of 2,70,000 international students in 2024. Read to know more details.
Australia Raises Foreign Student Cap By 9%
According to Hindustan Times, Australia is looking forward to expanding the international education sector. During post-pandemic recovery in 2023, around 600,000 student visas were granted. Australia had witnessed the majority of students from India and China. Reducing its economic dependence on China, the country is now focusing on South Asian countries, which means India will continue to benefit from it.
Speaking about raising the foreign student cap, the country’s Education Minister, Jason Clare, said that the aim is to enhance international education that will benefit all three: students, universities, and the national interest.
The new cap introduced by Australia includes two-thirds of the seats for universities and one-third for vocational training. The big public universities will have to show that they will have the necessary housing and should try to attract South Asian students. In Australia, the education sector plays a crucial role in the economy. In 2024, the contribution to the economy from the educational sector was A$51 billion (about ₹2,75,880 crore).
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What Are The USA Plans For International Students?
On one side, Australia is focusing on attracting international students. The United States of America, under Donald Trump, tightened the student visa rules that made it harder for students to study in this country. In recent times, the USA has brought major changes, like banning some universities from getting new student visas and increasing social media checks, raising concern among students, especially from South Asia.
The Hindustan Times mentioned that the USA is dropping international applications for students, especially in science and tech graduate programs. Looking at the country’s recent visa rules, students from India, China, and South Korea are showing less interest. They mentioned that the USA rules are unpredictable and hence not safe for students.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think education in Australia is better than in the USA? Let us know in the comments below!
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