‘Continuity and change’: the year ahead for international education in Australia

‘Continuity and change’ is the comically ridiculous political slogan that the odious, though captivating, character Selena Meyers ran for US President on in the hit TV show ‘VEEP’. But it’s not a bad descriptor for what Australia has to aim for with respect to our vibrant international education sector in 2026.

International education is a national strength, and overwhelmingly students receive a terrific education and contribute to our nation. Continuity in the form of policy stability is good for providers, students and Australia’s global market positioning in a chaotic world where competitors are lurching and rapidly changing settings.

Yet change must continue – adapting to a hyper-competitive premium market and transitions of traditional source counties to competitors, and the need for ongoing integrity crackdowns onshore and further tightening at the bottom end of the market.

The Australian government will not back off from managing the size and the shape of the onshore international student market and ongoing moves towards a more sustainable sector. But in doing so we aim to maximise policy stability and minimise policy shocks that hamper our nation’s ability to continue to attract the best and the brightest for a premium Australian education.

In 2025, we prioritised managing unsustainable student numbers onshore with the first National Planning Level of 270,000 commencements. The 2026 National Planning Level of 295,000 places gives room for sustainable growth, but remains below the immediate post-COVID peak.

A key focus in 2025 was boosting integrity and cracking down on dodgy practices, and this focus will continue in 2026. We want Australia to both be and to be seen as a premium destination for students, in both education outcomes and experience. That means being tough on integrity issues.

2026 will see implementation of the Education Legislation Amendment Integrity Act (ELA Act), passed by the Australian Parliament in late 2025. These reforms amended the ESOS and TEQSA Acts to strengthen quality and integrity both on and offshore.

Through these changes, we aim to combat the exploitation of overseas students and address behaviours that seek to exploit the migration system. These changes will clamp down on dodgy providers and those looking to rort the system who tarnish the reputation of the majority who do the right thing by students who choose Australia.

One of the first changes implemented under the ELA Act is banning the payment of commissions to education agents for international student transfers. We are monitoring market behaviour and will take further action if needed to stamp out workarounds. The ELA Act also strengthens provider regulation, including provisions to suspend the registration of providers under serious regulatory investigation.

These changes aim to ensure agents and institutions are working in the best interests of their students, and that students know that when they are coming to study in Australia, they will leave with fond memories and a world-class experience.

Within the ongoing limits to the number of students able to study onshore in Australia, the government is focussed on boosting the sector’s value for Australia.

Economically, international education contributes strongly to our GDP, export trade balance and employment. The contribution of high value students studying and trained in skills shortage areas who help to build our nation is immense – this raises interesting questions about what students study in a limited onshore market.

Most former students of course cannot stay in Australia and visa settings must ensure students leave promptly when they have finished their time here and have not secured a skilled migration pathway.

The soft power generated is incalculable within our region, hence market diversification, ensuring a great student experience, and continuing to educate future leaders is critical.

International education is and must increasingly be more than students coming to Australia. Growth in offshore – TNE – will be a key objective in the next phase.

And of course, we want to see rich opportunities for Australian students to study abroad and build their own global networks. Two-way student mobility connects young Australians with the world.

In 2026, we are also moving the conversation beyond the economic, to look at all of the benefits international education brings Australia as a part of our nation’s statecraft.

This year, we will release a new International Education and Skills Strategic Framework. The Framework will chart the direction for the next several years of Australia’s international education sector.

A stronger, more sustainable, and resilient international education sector that delivers more value for Australia, providing students with a top-quality education and welcoming experience, is something that everyone can be proud of.

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