Australian Student visa program for 2027
- Dessie
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
The Australian Government has announced that the National Planning Level (NPL) for international student commencements will remain unchanged in 2027, providing certainty for education providers and prospective international students.
The 2027 planning level will remain at 295,000 international student commencements, the same as in 2026. According to the Government, this level is approximately 8% below the immediate post-COVID peak, with current data indicating that student commencements are already tracking below the planning level for both 2026 and 2027.
Recent figures also show that:
International student commencements in 2026 are 8% lower than during the same period in 2025.
Student commencements are 13% lower than pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.
Changes to Student Visa Fees
Alongside maintaining the planning level, the Government has announced a 25% increase in student visa and Temporary Graduate visa application charges.
Lower visa application charges will continue to apply to:
students from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste;
Australian Government scholarship recipients.
In addition, reduced visa application charges will now also apply to:
students from ASEAN member countries;
applicants undertaking standalone English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS); and
students enrolled in non-award courses.
International VET Sector
The Government has confirmed that it will continue to manage the size and integrity of the international vocational education and training (VET) sector through visa processing and compliance measures.
Importantly, all active international education providers will receive at least their current student allocation in 2027, with regional universities continuing to benefit from favourable allocations introduced in the previous allocation process.
From 2027, responsibility for overseeing international student allocations for higher education providers will transfer to the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, while the Australian Government will continue to determine the overall national planning level.
Focus on Integrity
The announcement forms part of the Government's ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of Australia's international education sector. These reforms include action against non-compliant education providers, measures to improve provider standards, and initiatives designed to enhance the experience of both domestic and international students.
The Government has stated that these measures are intended to ensure that Australia's international education sector remains sustainable, high quality, and internationally competitive while continuing to attract genuine students.
What This Means for Students
For prospective international students, the announcement provides greater certainty regarding Australia's international education settings. While visa application costs will increase, Australia remains committed to welcoming genuine students who intend to study with reputable education providers.
Students considering studying in Australia should continue to ensure they:
choose a genuine and registered education provider;
prepare well-documented visa applications;
demonstrate that they meet the Genuine Student requirements; and
seek professional advice where required to maximise their prospects of a successful visa outcome.
If you are considering studying, working, or migrating to Australia, our team can advise you on the most appropriate visa pathway and help you prepare a strong application.
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