Australia has put forth a proposal to decrease international student quotas at 15 of its 38 public universities, including esteemed institutions like the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne. This discussion arises from an amendment to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, with the bill slated for consideration in the Australian Senate today, November 18.

Should the bill pass, it will take effect on January 1, 2025.

This legislative proposal marks another step in a series of preventive measures aimed at addressing anticipated restrictions on international enrolments. In September, the Australian Catholic University announced a halt to international admissions for 2025 after reaching its enrollment cap. Similarly, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has opted to temporarily pause international student admissions for 2025, placing applicants on a “waiting list.” Available spots will be released incrementally for programs that still have capacity.

UNSW’s recent decision, detailed on its official website, is seen as a proactive measure in light of the Australian Government’s plans to limit international enrolments beginning in 2025, following proposed amendments to the ESOS Act. Under this new policy, UNSW is restricted to admitting 9,500 new international students—an approximate 14% reduction from 2023 and a notable decline from this year’s estimated intake of over 17,000 students.

A spokesperson from UNSW conveyed to The PIE News that, in order to stay within its enrollment cap, the university is implementing “a waitlist for 2025 international admissions with merit-based offers to be released progressively for programs where there is still availability.”

The spokesperson further emphasized that demand for UNSW has reached “unprecedented” levels in recent years, driven by the quality of its programs and its expanding reputation. Without these pre-emptive measures, the university could face challenges exceeding the proposed cap. Currently ranked third in Australia, UNSW recently achieved a remarkable position of 19th globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds.

Australia remains a premier destination for international students worldwide and ranks among the top 10 study-abroad locations for Nigerian students, according to various reports. As of July, nearly 944,000 international students were enrolled across various institutions in Australia, reflecting a growth of over 14% compared to the same period last year.