International student arrivals hit a new record high last month despite repeated promises from the Australian government that it would bring down numbers and reduce immigration in general.
According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 201,490 foreigners arrived on student visas in February, a 15% increase on the same month last year, and 10% more than the previous record set in February 2019 under the previous Coalition government.
The record arrivals come after the Labor pledged to reduce migration during the 2022 election campaign, only to preside over the arrival of about 1.5 million immigrants since the election in May last year, dwarfing its own migration forecasts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese then tried to cap student number late last year, but Opposition leader Peter Dutton backflipped at the last minute and refused to support the move, saying the Coalition would instead present its own immigration plan after the May 2025 election.
Then last month Mr Dutton promised to bring back a controversial “golden visa” aimed at wealthy Chinese migrants that is a net drain on the economy, and boasted that he allowed in a record number of migrants he was immigration minister.
Former deputy secretary of the Home Affairs Department Dr Abul Rizvi told the Australian Financial Review “the government has no effective tools to control student numbers”, while Education Minister Jason Clare blamed the numbers on Mr Dutton’s decision not to support the caps.
“Peter Dutton’s reckless arrogance killed international student caps and in the process he killed his credibility,” he said.
But Opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said Labor had created an “immigration mess”, and promised the Coalition would bring numbers under control in a “measured and responsible way”.
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts addressed the influx on Wednesday on X: “While Australians are sleeping on the street, Labor just let in the most international students EVER in one month.”
Dr Rizvi estimated there were about 700,000 international students currently in Australia, with another 100,000 former students on bridging visas and 25,000 contesting visa decisions at tribunal.
According to Education Department data, in the year to November 2024 there were 1,081,300 international student enrolments, a 12% increase year-on-year.
The massive increase in international students number comes despite poll after poll showing Australians want fewer migrants, including a survey last month that found 80% of voters want immigration cut.
Header image credit: University of Sydney Union.
