KP Sharma

The Australian government’s recent decision to cut international student intakes at several universities starting 2025 has caused concerns among Bhutanese students who are planning to study in Australia.

Although Bhutan is relatively a minor market for Australian universities, the new restrictions are expected to create uncertainty for those aspiring to pursue higher education down under.

The new cap on the number of international students is part of a broader strategy of the Australian government to revert migration rates to pre-pandemic levels. Its new National Planning Level (NPL) sets the cap on international student enrollments at 270,000 for 2025. This substantial cut will impact 15 Australian universities.

Accompanying these restrictions are increases in visa fees and savings requirements for international students. These restrictions follow a major policy shift in July that introduced new age limits and revised eligibility criteria for international students to live and work in the country.

The data from the Australian government reveals a 10 percent rise in international student numbers since the pandemic, with a 50 percent increase in enrollments at private vocational and training institutions.

According to data released in May 2024, Australia is currently hosting around 810,960 international students.

The Australian government is concerned the sharp rise of foreign students has contributed to the decline in educational standards in certain institutions, with students prioritising employment over academics.

To address these concerns, the Australian government has imposed different caps for various educational institutions.

Public universities will only be allowed to admit 145,000 international students in 2025 while private universities and higher education providers can take in 30,000 students. Vocational and training institutes will be allowed to take in 95,000 students.

This move is intended to ensure a more regulated and controlled approach to foreign student admissions.

Impact on Bhutanese

students

Education consultancy firms in Bhutan shared mixed reactions to the potential impacts of these new policies.

Although Bhutan is a small market for Australian universities, some firms said that the restrictions could still affect Bhutanese students seeking education in Australia.

The concerns are heightened mainly because some of the most popular universities among Bhutanese students, such as Murdoch University in Perth, the University of Sydney, and the University of Melbourne, are among those affected by the new intake limits.

A Bhutanese working with an education consultancy firm in Australia said that the enrollment caps could prompt Bhutanese students to consider alternative study destinations in Europe.

“The number of Bhutanese trying to come to Australia has already decreased with the introduction of the age limit, but other destinations are equally picking up,” he said.

The consultant added that Bhutanese students may find it more challenging to enroll in high-demand courses due to increased competition caused by the enrollment cap.

However, not everyone is worried about the new restrictions.

A consultancy firm owner in Thimphu believes that while the reduction in student intake will have some impact, it should not be a concern for genuine students.

“Those with strong IELTS scores and other qualifications will still have a competitive edge while applying to prestigious universities,” he said, encouraging students to improve their credentials to navigate the tightened admissions process.

In 2023, around 12,622 Bhutanese students were enrolled in Australian universities, making Bhutan the 14th largest source country for international students in Australia. This figure excludes family members or other companions.