12 Aussie Unis Top Priority for Student Visas
New International Student Places Announced for 2025
The Australian government has released a report outlining international enrolment caps for universities in 2025. The report identifies 12 universities that will receive priority status for international student placements. Swinburne University of Technology leads with 4,523 international places, closely followed by La Trobe University, which has 4,100 places.
Other Universities on the List
Several other institutions also received significant allocations. Edith Cowan University, Griffith University, and the University of Wollongong each secured 3,600 places. The rest of the universities in this priority list are capped at under 3,000 places.
Students admitted to these universities will benefit from quicker processing of their visa applications. This is designed to ensure that larger universities do not become overwhelmed while smaller universities face difficulties in attracting international students.
Visa Processing Times
The Department of Home Affairs has clarified that while priority status can speed up visa processing, it does not affect the final outcomes. All student visa applications are examined by authorised officers, regardless of a university’s status. As of June last year, the median processing times were 94 days for undergraduate programs and 171 days for vocational training programs.
International Enrolment Allocations for 2025
Below are the top universities along with their international intake caps:
| No. | University | International Intake Cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swinburne University of Technology | 4,523 |
| 2 | La Trobe University | 4,100 |
| 3 | Edith Cowan University | 3,600 |
| 4 | Griffith University | 3,600 |
| 5 | University of Wollongong | 3,600 |
| 6 | Flinders University | 3,000 |
| 7 | Victoria University | 2,357 |
| 8 | James Cook University | 2,200 |
| 9 | University of Tasmania | 2,200 |
| 10 | Southern Cross University | 1,300 |
| 11 | University of New England | 700 |
| 12 | University of Southern Queensland | 50 |
Impact of Policy Changes on International Students
In recent years, Australia has tightened its international student policies. Post-study work rights have been reduced from 4-6 years to 2-4 years. The English language requirement has also increased, with students needing an IELTS score between 6.0 and 6.5. Additionally, proof of funds has risen to AU$29,710, and the student visa application fee is now AU$2,000, among the highest globally.
Last year, Australia welcomed around 1.1 million international students, making it one of the largest student populations worldwide. Over 33,000 of these students came from Vietnam.
What do these changes mean for your migration journey?
If you’re considering studying in Australia, these changes could impact your visa application process. Staying updated on your chosen institution’s place allocations and visa requirements will be beneficial.
What do you think?
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