{"id":291429,"date":"2025-04-27T06:10:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T06:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/27\/why-australia-wants-to-set-caps-on-international-students\/"},"modified":"2025-04-27T06:10:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T06:10:20","slug":"why-australia-wants-to-set-caps-on-international-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.talkwithrattan.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/27\/why-australia-wants-to-set-caps-on-international-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Australia Wants to Set Caps on International Students"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Australia was the clear top choice when Ali Bajwa, a native of Pakistan, wanted to pursue a doctorate in agricultural science. The research in the field was cutting edge, the universities were highly ranked and overseas students were welcome in the country, where international education has been referred to as \u201cthe biggest export<\/a> we don\u2019t dig out of the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Bajwa arrived a decade ago, specializing in weed control. He brought his family over, all becoming naturalized citizens. He spent years in Wagga Wagga, a rural town, working for the state government and continuing research in weed science. He now teaches at La Trobe University in Melbourne and is a homeowner.<\/p>\n

But those hoping to follow Mr. Bajwa\u2019s path face a new reality.<\/p>\n

Politicians on both sides of the aisle have turned to capping the number of international students as a way to rein in unaffordable housing, a crisis that is at the top of voters\u2019 minds ahead of next month\u2019s election. The argument is that this will reduce demand for rentals and starter homes and tamp down prices. It is a major shift for Australia, whose economy depends on mining but which once saw education as a \u201csuper growth sector<\/a>\u201d and sought to compete for students with the United States, Britain and Canada.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe gain a lot more than we lose to international students,\u201d said Mr. Bajwa, 35. \u201cThere should be a lot more focus on improving the selection criteria or requirements than a blanket ban or limiting the number.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n