Falling international student numbers create ‘massive problems’ for Australian universities, expert warns

Australian universities are facing significant financial strain as international student enrollment drops to two-thirds of capacity. Experts attribute this decline to visa uncertainty and heated political rhetoric regarding immigration.
Why it matters
The decline in international students threatens the financial stability of the higher education sector and may impact domestic student resources.
On average Australian universities are filling just two-thirds of their allocated international student places. On average Australian universities are filling just two-thirds of their allocated international student places. Australian universities Falling international student numbers create ‘massive problems’ for Australian universities, expert warns Immigration debate and visa uncertainty is putting students off and increasing pressure on budgets
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Prefer the Guardian on Google University leaders warn they’re struggling to fill international student places due to visa uncertainty and heated political debate on immigration, with regional areas hit the hardest and concern that financial deficits could affect domestic students.
The latest numbers from the Department of Education in October show on average universities are filling just two-thirds of their allocated places, and just five public universities have reached more than 80% capacity, all in capital cities.
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