Australian govt sets target to ensure over 50% local enrollments in universities

The Australian government has directed universities to ensure that domestic students remain the majority on campus, as international enrollments continue to rise sharply across several leading institutions.

Education Minister Jason Clare said Australian students should make up “more than 50%” of total enrollments.

“There’s nothing more important for Australian universities than educating Australians,” Clare said.

His comments follow data showing that international students now constitute over half of the student population at some universities, including the University of Sydney, Murdoch University, and RMIT University.

Government figures show that the University of Sydney had 51% international students in 2024, compared to 49% in 2023 and 43% before the pandemic.

Murdoch University’s share of international students reached 57%, while RMIT crossed the 50% threshold last year.

Several other major universities are nearing similar proportions. The University of New South Wales reported 47% international enrollments, followed by the University of Wollongong at 46%, Monash University at 45%, and the University of Melbourne at 44%.

Experts say this growing reliance on overseas students stems from financial pressures that began nearly a decade ago, when uncertainty around government funding led institutions to seek new revenue sources.

Between 2013 and 2018, the University of Sydney’s international student numbers more than doubled, from 12,300 to 26,000.

The government’s stance now reflects a renewed emphasis on maintaining access for Australian students while recognizing that international learners continue to play a crucial role in supporting university finances and fostering cultural diversity on campuses.