The Indian Sun revealed on 4 October that the federal Opposition will place international students at the centre of its plan to ‘sharply recalibrate’ net overseas migration. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam told 7NEWS the Coalition will ‘publish precise numbers’ and economic modelling within days, signalling deeper cuts than Labor’s recently announced measures. While backpacker numbers would be largely preserved to support regional tourism, Duniam indicated that post-study work rights and on-shore student-visa extensions would be tightened. Policy leaks suggest the Opposition may cap overall student arrivals at 250,000 per year – roughly 20 % below current levels – and impose minimum English-language scores across all education sectors. Universities Australia warns the cap could wipe $4 billion from annual export earnings and jeopardise 38,000 jobs. Conversely, the Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry argues it would ease pressure on rental markets and public transport in major cities. With a federal election due in late 2027, observers expect migration to dominate political discourse well into 2026. Corporate mobility managers should map multiple policy scenarios and diversify talent pipelines beyond on-shore graduate pathways. Any future government would still need Senate support to legislate caps; however, many changes – such as shortening graduate visas – could be implemented through regulation, creating real-time compliance challenges for employers and education agents alike.
Source: The Indian Sun
