The Albanese Government has confirmed there will be no increase to the National Planning Level (NPL) for international student commencements in 2027, providing stability and certainty for the international education sector.
This maintains the NPL at the same level as 2026, at 295,000, which is 8 per cent below the immediate post-COVID peak.
Current tracking indicates international student commencements are on track to be below the NPL for both 2026 and 2027.
Commencements in 2026 are down 8 per cent compared to the same period in 2025, and 13 per cent lower than 2019.
The decision to freeze the NPL at current levels accompanies adjustments to student visa fees.
Alongside general increases in student and temporary graduate visa charges of 25 per cent, existing lower fees for Pacific and Timor-Leste students will continue, while a lower rate has been introduced for:
- Students from ASEAN countries;
- Standalone English Language Intensive Courses (ELICOS); and
- Non-award courses.
Strategically important cohorts, including Pacific and Timor-Leste students and Australian government scholarship holders will continue to receive high priority student visa processing in 2027.
For the international VET sector, the Government will continue to use visa processing and integrity reforms to shape its size and composition.
All active international education providers will receive at least their current allocation next year.
This will maintain the strong allocation that regional universities received in last year's process, sharing the benefits of international education across Australia.
From 2027, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission will oversee international student allocations for higher education providers, while the Government will continue to set the overall planning level.
The Government has also led reforms to improve integrity in the sector. This includes cracking down on unscrupulous providers, addressing poor provider practices, and improving the student experience for domestic and international students.
These steps are all about ensuring international student numbers remain on a more sustainable path and Australia's international education sector remains resilient, high-quality, and globally competitive, while producing more value for Australia.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare
"International education is an incredibly important export industry for Australia, but we need to manage it sustainably.
"This is about making sure international education grows in a way that supports students, universities and the national interest."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles
"International VET strengthens outcomes for students and supports our workforce, while deepening valuable global partnerships.
"Today's announcement provides certainty for the international VET sector, enabling it to continue delivering sustainable growth and high-quality skills outcomes."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Julian Hill
"The Albanese Government inherited a mess from the Liberals in 2022, with unsustainably high growth in student numbers in the least reputable parts of the sector and student visas being misused by crooks and shonks.
"The Government will not back off from managing the size and the shape of the onshore international student market and ongoing moderation in student numbers towards a more sustainable sector.
"Australia continues to welcome genuine international students seeking a premium Australian education which is great for our unis, domestic students and research."
