Australia’s Rising International Student Numbers Drive New Migration Reforms
Australia’s international student enrolments jumped to 460,090 in 2026, a 46% rise that has prompted the federal government to tighten migration rules. While business and education degrees remain the most popular, the reforms aim to curb visa hopping and reduce family member visas, potentially resh…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Australia’s universities have seen a dramatic surge in international enrolments, with the number of overseas students climbing from 314,619 in 2021 to 460,090 in 2026 – a 46.2% increase. The growth has caught the eye of the federal government, which announced new migration reforms aimed at curbing net migration from roughly 300,000 to 225,000 next year. The reforms target visa hopping and the influx of family members, while still allowing students to pursue the courses that have historically attracted them.
Who Is Coming to Australia?
International students come from a wide range of countries, but a significant portion are from neighbouring Asia. The most popular field of study remains management and commerce, with 120,136 enrolments in 2026. Within that broad category, business and management topped the list with 61,222 students, followed by accounting with 14,566. Information technology ranked second overall, and society and culture were also strong draws.
One of the most visible stories is that of Luis Guzman, a Guatemalan who arrived in Sydney at 18 to explore the country and later enrolled in a master’s degree in event management at the UTS Business School. Guzman says the quality of life and the opportunities available in Australia are unmatched, and he hopes to stay on after graduation to work in Formula 1 racing or start his own business.
Government Reforms and Their Impact
The new migration reforms were unveiled on Thursday, with the Australian government seeking to reduce the number of international students by tightening visa rules. The reforms focus on two main areas: limiting visa hopping – where students switch between courses or institutions to maintain their visa status – and reducing the number of family members who can accompany or join students.
Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, noted that the reforms would be a “mixed bag” for students. While the changes may create uncertainty for some, he believes they will not significantly alter the types of degrees that remain popular. He also highlighted that business and commerce courses continue to appeal to students from family businesses who want to learn in an English‑speaking environment before returning home.
Shifts in Popular Disciplines
Even as the overall enrolment numbers rise, the contribution of management and commerce to total enrolments has fallen by 21.5% over the past five years, partly because finance and accounting were removed from the government’s skills‑in‑demand list. Honeywood warned that maintaining access to these degrees is key to Australia’s soft power in the region, as many neighbouring countries rely on Australian education for their future business leaders.
Conversely, enrolments in education degrees have surged. Broad education enrolments increased 297.7% from 12,026 in 2021 to 47,824 in 2026. Teacher education moved up from the ninth‑most popular field in 2021 to second in 2026, with early childhood education accounting for 36.9% of international enrolments in that category. Vocational education and training also saw a sharp rise, from 159 students in 2021 to 4,047 in 2026.
Honeywood explained that the increase in education enrolments is partly driven by the Australian government’s classification of teaching degrees as a skill in demand, making postgraduate diplomas a viable migration pathway. He added that overseas students are expected to fill future shortages in childcare and aged care, which are critical sectors for Australia’s ageing population.
What Happens Next?
As the reforms take effect, universities and policymakers will need to monitor how changes in visa policy affect enrolment patterns. While the government aims to reduce net migration, it also wants to preserve the diversity that international students bring to Australian campuses. The balance between tightening controls and maintaining a vibrant student community remains a delicate one.
For students like Guzman, the reforms may add a layer of uncertainty, but many still see Australia as a land of opportunity. The government’s challenge will be to ensure that the reforms do not inadvertently deter students from pursuing degrees that are both in demand and culturally enriching.
In the coming months, universities will likely adjust their recruitment strategies to align with the new visa rules, and the government will continue to refine its approach to migration and education. The outcome will shape not only the future of Australian higher education but also the country’s broader economic and cultural ties with the region.
Key facts
- International student enrolments in Australia rose 46% to 460,090 in 2026.
- New migration reforms aim to reduce net migration by targeting visa hopping and family member visas.
- Business and commerce remain the most popular study fields, but their contribution to total enrolments fell 21.5%.
- Education degrees, especially early childhood and vocational training, saw a 297% increase in enrolments.
- The reforms are expected to keep popular degrees available while tightening overall student numbers.
- Australia’s soft power in the region depends on maintaining access to business and commerce courses for overseas students.
Why it matters
The surge in international student enrolments and the accompanying migration reforms highlight the tension between economic benefits and immigration control, affecting Australia’s education sector, labour market, and regional diplomacy.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main changes in Australia’s migration reforms?
The reforms target visa hopping and reduce the number of family members who can accompany international students, aiming to lower net migration from 300,000 to 225,000 next year.
Will the new rules affect popular degree programs?
While the reforms may create uncertainty, they are unlikely to change the popularity of business, commerce, or education degrees, which remain in high demand.
How are education enrolments changing?
Education enrolments have surged, with broad education and teacher training courses seeing significant growth, partly due to government classification of teaching as a skill in demand.
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “International student enrolments in Australia: How migration reforms and popular degrees are shaping the future for overseas students”
