Lori Meadows
Australia has long been a popular destination for international students, with its high-quality education, opportunities for immigration, and attractive lifestyle. In 2023, the country hosted 619,371 international students, with New South Wales attracting the largest portion, followed by Victoria and Queensland. Melbourne, a vibrant city in Victoria, is home to a significant number of these students, with the University of Melbourne and Monash University enrolling 14,166 and 22,140 international students, respectively. The presence of international students in Melbourne has brought about economic benefits, with an estimated expenditure of 3 billion in the 2014-2015 financial year, contributing to the city's and region's development. However, the Australian government has recently imposed caps on international student enrollments, with Melbourne's universities facing reduced intake numbers, aiming to manage migration and address housing market pressures.
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What You'll Learn
Melbourne's international student population
Melbourne is part of the state of Victoria, which, along with New South Wales and Queensland, attracts the largest portion of international students in Australia. In 2023, the total number of international students in Australia was 619,371, a decrease from 2019 when the highest number of international student enrolments was recorded at 756,713.
The University of Melbourne is one of the universities with the highest number of international students in Australia, with 14,166 enrolled students in 2023. The university has an international student population of over 40%, and its cap for 2025 has been set at 9,300 students. The University of Sydney, which also has an international student population of over 40%, has a cap of 11,900 students for 2025.
International students make a significant contribution to the economy and development of Melbourne and Victoria. In 2014-15, international students spent approximately $3 billion in Melbourne, with $900 million flowing indirectly to regional communities. This supported the creation of around 12,746 jobs in regional Victoria. In the financial year of 2018, international students injected $31.9 billion into the Australian economy as a whole.
In 2024, the Australian government announced plans to limit the number of international student enrolments in universities, TAFEs, and vocational colleges from 2025. This decision was made to curb the spike in home rental prices caused by record migration numbers. The cap for 2025 has been set at 270,000, an 18% decrease from 2024. This decision has been criticised for being "random" and "arbitrary", and it is predicted that it will lead to thousands of job losses and the closure of around 300 independent colleges.
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International student expenditure
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world, with 786,891 international students in 2023, which is 27% more than the previous year. In 2024, the number is forecasted to increase by 18%. The majority of international students in Australia come from China, with 156,217 students, followed by India, Nepal, Colombia, and the Philippines.
New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland are the states attracting the largest portion of international students. Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is a popular destination for international students due to its world-class universities, diverse culture, and thriving job market. It is the 5th most student-friendly city in the world according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2025.
The living expenses for international students in Melbourne can be quite daunting and vary based on location and lifestyle. The monthly costs for international students in Melbourne can range from AUD 1,200 to AUD 1,800, with some sources giving a higher estimate of AU$3,000- AU$3,200 per month. These costs include accommodation, food, transport, utilities, and leisure. Tuition fees also comprise a significant portion of the living expenses in Melbourne for international students pursuing higher education.
International students in Melbourne can save money by opting for shared housing, especially in suburbs slightly away from the city centre, which often offer lower rent while still being well-connected by public transport. Students can also take advantage of student discounts on transport, entertainment, and dining, as well as the availability of part-time jobs and internships. Cycling or walking can also help reduce transport costs.
International students make a substantial contribution to the Australian economy and local communities. In 2014-2015, international students spent about 3 billion AUD in Melbourne, with 900 million AUD in indirect value flowing to regional communities. The student consumption supported approximately 12,746 jobs in regional Victoria. In the financial year of 2018, international students injected 31.9 billion AUD into the Australian economy.
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International student visas
Melbourne is one of the best student cities in Australia, with its affordability, lifestyle, and high-quality education attracting international students from all over the world. The University of Melbourne is one of the top choices for international students in the country, with 14,166 enrolled international students.
International students are required to obtain a valid student visa before arriving in Australia. The visa application process can be done on the ImmiAccount platform via the Department of Home Affairs. The application fee must be paid, and the student must submit their visa subclass, upload their documents, and submit their application. The application process can be lengthy, so it is recommended that students submit their applications no later than four to six weeks before their course commencement.
To apply for a student visa, students must provide evidence of their offer of study, Student Acceptance and Payment Agreement, and Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). They must also submit a compulsory English language proficiency test score and proof of financial ability to pay for their tuition fees, books, and daily living expenses. The student's family members, including children, should be included in the application if they are accompanying the student to Australia. Most changes to a student's enrolment will impact compliance with their visa conditions. While it is not possible to renew a student visa, students can apply for a new one if their current visa will expire before they can complete their course.
The University of Melbourne provides detailed guides to help students navigate the student visa process, including visa entitlements and restrictions, and making changes to their visa. The university also offers support for international students, such as helping them with their enrolment and providing information on studying in Victoria.
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International student enrolment
In 2023, Australia had a total of 619,371 international students studying across the country, with New South Wales attracting the largest portion, at 244,193 students. Victoria, the state in which Melbourne is located, was one of the top three states attracting international students that year.
The University of Melbourne is one of the universities with the highest number of international students in Australia. In 2023, it had 14,166 international students enrolled, with international students making up over 40% of its student body. However, recent government policies have seen a cap placed on international student enrolments at the University of Melbourne, reducing their 2025 intake by 7% to 9,300 students.
The Australian government's decision to limit international student enrolments has been met with mixed reactions. Some argue that it will make it more difficult for international students to gain access to high-quality education in large cities like Melbourne. The government aims to encourage international students to study in regional areas outside of major cities and to manage migration numbers, which have impacted housing prices.
Despite the caps, Australia remains an attractive destination for international students, ranking third as a study-abroad destination. The country offers prestigious universities, scholarship opportunities, work options during studies, and academic recognition.
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International student caps
Australia has long been a popular destination for international students, with its high-quality education, opportunities for immigration, and attractive lifestyle. In 2023, there were 619,371 international students in Australia, with New South Wales attracting the largest portion, followed by Victoria and Queensland.
However, in recent years, there has been a push to reduce the number of international students in the country. The Australian government has implemented policies to protect its local workforce and manage the distribution of international students across its universities and regions. This has resulted in the introduction of caps on international student numbers for various universities.
The University of Melbourne, for example, has seen a 7% decrease in its international student intake cap for 2025, resulting in a cap of 9,300 students. The University of Sydney has also experienced a similar 7% reduction, with a cap of 11,900 students. These caps have been criticized as "random" and "arbitrary," and the tertiary education sector has expressed concerns about the potential for thousands of job losses and the closure of independent colleges.
Other universities, such as Murdoch University in Perth, have faced even more significant cuts, with a 34% reduction in its international student cohort. The University of Notre Dame Australia, on the other hand, has been granted a cap of 700 international students, representing a substantial increase from its 2023 numbers.
The Australian government's Migration Strategy has also implemented additional policy changes. These include the "Genuine Student" requirement, which aims to assess the authenticity of student visa applicants, and increased English language proficiency requirements. The minimum test score for a student visa has been raised, and there is now a greater focus on protecting genuine international students and supporting their career goals.
The Coalition has proposed even stricter measures, with plans for tighter enrolment limits, increased visa application fees, and changes to temporary graduate visas. They argue that high numbers of international students are putting pressure on the housing market and that some courses have excessively high international enrolment numbers.
The future of international student enrolments in Australia remains uncertain, with ongoing debates and adjustments to policies impacting the attractiveness of the country as a study destination.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Melbourne has around 14,166 international students, making up 40-41% of its student population. However, it is not possible to determine the exact number of international students in Melbourne as they are free to live and study in different parts of the country.
Around 40-41% of students at the University of Melbourne are international.
In 2023, there were 619,371 international students studying in Australia. This number increased to 786,891 in 2024.
The Australian government has set a cap of 270,000 international students for 2025.
