Australia to Implement New Restrictions on International Students, Affecting Indian Aspirants
Australia is set to introduce stricter regulations for international students, including those from India, by capping the number of new overseas student commencements (NOSC) to 270,000 starting January 1, 2025. This measure aims to manage migration rates and alleviate pressure on housing and infrastructure.
The proposed cap under the National Planning Level (NPL) could impact Indian students, as increased competition may lead to lower acceptance rates. While the proposal is still subject to parliamentary approval, its potential implementation might force international students to consider alternative study destinations.
In addition to the cap, changes in English language requirements for visas have been announced. For student visas, the minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score has been raised from 5.5 to 6.0. Similarly, the score for English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) has increased from 4.5 to 5.0. Temporary Graduate visas (TGV) now require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, up from 6.0, with no component scoring below 5.5.
These new restrictions and increased IELTS requirements are expected to present challenges for international students, including those from India, aspiring to study in Australia.
