2026 NOSC allocations rise for Australian public universities

While the Australian government has set a National Planning Level for 2026 of 295,000 New Overseas Student Commencements (NOSCs) and allocations for non-public providers, publicly funded Table A universities have now received their indicative allocations, based on performance against key international education priorities.

Ahead of the new NOSC caps, Table A universities — public institutions under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 that receive full federal funding — were required to align with the government’s push for deeper engagement with Southeast Asia, in line with Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which seeks to strengthen partnerships across education, agriculture and resources.

“International education has delivered profound benefits to Australia for decades. It’s a $51 billion sector that Australians can be proud of, educating future global leaders, strengthening international ties, and enriching our communities,” stated Julian Hill, assistant minister for international education.

“Engaging with south-east Asia is in Australia’s national interest, and the 2026 international student allocations recognise universities which are demonstrating genuine focus on our region.”

These universities were also expected to provide adequate student accommodation, ensuring safe housing for all. Currently, there are more than 11,000 new beds under construction, 15,000 approved, and 12,000 in planning, according to government data.

While all universities have received a 2026 higher education allocation at least equal to their 2025 allocation, adjustments may occur later due to any “exceptional circumstances”, as per a statement by the Department of Education.

According to a joint release by education minister Jason Clare and Hill, five Australian universities did not seek growth, while 32 requested an increase in their international student intake.

Regional universities saw strong growth, with Charles Sturt University, Federation University, the University of Newcastle and Charles Darwin University receiving the largest proportional increases in their allocations.

“International education is an important national asset. It brings tens of billions of dollars into the economy each year. It also builds friendships and long-term connections around the world. But we need to manage it sustainably and that’s what these allocations for universities do,” stated Clare.

“We’re making sure growth in international education happens in a way that supports the national interest and spreads benefits more evenly. Regional universities play a vital role in local communities and economies and we’re backing them with more places.”

According to data analysed by Nicholas Dillon, director at Nous Group, while Group of Eight universities — Australia’s equivalent of the Ivy League or Russell Group — have increased total NOSCs by nearly 5,500 places (9%) for 2026 compared to 2025, Adelaide University’s merger with non-Go8 University of South Australia makes the Go8’s rising share somewhat misleading.

“The introduction of the University of South Australia’s numbers into the Go8 numbers as part of the creation of Adelaide University accounts for most of the increase in Go8 NOSC,” Dillon wrote on LinkedIn.

“If we take out these numbers, we end up with the Go8 allocation growing by 2,500, or 4%. This is against a non-Go8 increase of 14%.”

Engaging with south-east Asia is in Australia’s national interest, and the 2026 international student allocations recognise universities which are demonstrating genuine focus on our region

Julian Hill, assistant minister for international education

According to Dillon, the trend also points to a “wider bifurcation” between the UK and Australia, with the latter being able to better manage some of the migration concerns associated with rising international student numbers.

“The UK is, generally, heading in the direction of higher concentrations of international students at higher tariff institutions, notably the Russell Group. The UK government is then looking to equalise the market through the international student levy,” he stated.

“Australia’s pseudo-caps focus on moving students, rather than money. The government also overtly states that a commitment to building student housing will lead to a greater increase.”

The announcement of indicative allocations for public universities comes as stakeholders attend one of Australia’s key international education events, the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) 2025, which is being held between October 14-17.

Discussions are expected to focus on shifting international education policies in Australia, particularly as the Albanese government has reintroduced legislation to “strengthen integrity” in the sector — but without the much-debated cap on international student enrolments that contributed to the earlier bill’s failure to pass parliament.

The new bill also seeks to ban commission payments to education agents for onshore transfers, restrict or cancel providers’ course delivery where national interest or quality concerns arise, and crack down on “phoenixing”, where providers rebrand or reopen to evade debts or penalties.

“We also know international education is a target for unscrupulous individuals trying to make a quick buck,” stated Clare.

“That’s why we introduced legislation to parliament last week to crack down on dodgy operators and practices.”

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