Peter Dutton’s Coalition plans to tackle the housing crisis by cutting the number of international students in higher education by 80,000.
The drastic drop in university and VET student intake will soon be unveiled as part of Mr Dutton’s immigration policy, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The move would see ‘s acceptance of foreign students drop from a high of 320,000 in 2023 to about 240,000 through a percentage cap at public universities.
It’s understood the percentage cap will be around 25 per cent but the official number will be decided in government using the latest data and in consultation with the education sector.
The Coalition claimed its plan will ‘at most’ see 115,000 annual foreign student commencements at public universities and 125,000 in VET, private universities and other higher education facilities.
Based on 2023 enrolments, the reduction will largely affect metropolitan areas – specifically areas surrounding Group of Eight universities – where the housing shortage is at its worst.
Mr Dutton’s plan would see at least 30,000 less new international students start higher education in each year compared to Labor’s 2025 allocation.
The Coalition will also increase the cost for foreign students to study in .
Student visa applications will rise to $5,000 for Group of Eight universities and $2,500 for remaining international students under the plan.
A new charge of $2,500 will also be introduced for students looking to change schools.
More to come…