Student Arrivals Hit Record Levels

Australia saw a record-breaking 197,000 international student arrivals in February 2025, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of 187,900 in 2019. These arrivals represent nearly half of all migrants that month and come amid growing political debate over immigration's impact on housing and infrastructure.

International student numbers have surged, with over 850,000 currently in Australia — up from 520,000 at the last election. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has pledged to cap student numbers at 240,000 annually to ease the housing crisis, a lower limit than Labor’s previously failed 270,000 cap. The Albanese government has instead imposed tougher visa rules, including higher English requirements and doubled visa fees.

Universities Australia warns that cutting student numbers could damage the $50 billion education export sector, which supports over 250,000 jobs. A University of South Australia study argued that students are not a main cause of the rental crisis.

The migration issue is expected to be a major battleground in the upcoming federal election, with both parties under pressure to balance economic needs and public infrastructure strains.

In short, international students are fuelling both a booming education sector and political controversy, as leaders debate how to balance growth with housing and service pressures.