Regional universities struggle to enrol international students amid visa refusals

University leaders warn they’re struggling to fill international student places due to visa uncertainty and heated political debate on immigration, with regional areas hit the hardest amid concern that financial deficits could affect domestic students.

The latest numbers from the Department of Education in October show on average universities are filling just two-thirds of their allocated places, and just five public universities have reached more than 80% capacity, all in capital cities.

Mike Ferguson, pro vice-chancellor of international students at Charles Sturt University, which has campuses across regional New South Wales, said his institution has filled just 40% of its cap this year, but he said the university did support Labor’s decision to crack down on onshore student transfers and visa hopping to improve integrity in the system. Charles Sturt University has also estimated the gap between international student recruitments pre-Covid and now is costing $35m, and the university has announced job cuts and restructuring in response.

Prof Andrew Norton, an expert in higher education, said the declining numbers were affecting all public universities because they cross-subsidise their teaching and research with international student fees. Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, said diminishing international student numbers in regional areas could also lead to critical skills shortages.