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Australia tightens rules for international students in 2026 policy overhaul

From visa crackdowns to language test shake-ups, Australia's education sector faces its biggest challenge yet. Can universities keep up with the rapid changes?

The image shows a blue background with a map of California on the left side and an arrow pointing...
The image shows a blue background with a map of California on the left side and an arrow pointing upwards. On the right side of the image, there is text that reads "11 1% increase to 135,130 international students".

Australia tightens rules for international students in 2026 policy overhaul

Australia's international education sector is entering one of its most challenging periods of policy change in recent years. The Federal Government's announcement of the 2026 National Planning Level (NPL) for new international student commencements has provided some clarity for universities. However, when combined with Ministerial Direction 111 and higher student visa fees, the new policy framework is reshaping how institutions approach international recruitment.

To help the sector make sense of these changes, Studymove will host its 7th Key Data Update session of the year, offering an in-depth look at how current policies are influencing student visa applications, commencements, and market dynamics.

"In the past two years, we have seen an unprecedented shift in the policy framework affecting international education," said Keri Ramirez of Studymove. "Often, the sector doesn't have time to pause and reflect on how these changes are shaping recruitment and student decision-making. This session is about taking a deeper look at the data, understanding how the new policies are influencing key markets, and supporting universities as they adjust their strategies for the future."

The impact of Ministerial Direction 111 and 2026 National Planning Levels on student recruitmentTuesday 9 September | 12:00 PM (AEST)Register here

The following week, Studymove will host another online session, this time focusing on English language requirements across Australian universities. With the Department of Home Affairs recently approving nine English language tests for visa applications-an announcement that has sparked debate-the session will explore how universities set minimum English entry standards for international students.

English Language Requirements Across Australian UniversitiesWednesday 17 September | 12:30 PM (AEST)Register here

Recordings will be made available to all registered participants who cannot attend live.

Studymove

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