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Australia has recently implemented a crackdown on student visas from certain Indian states, notably Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has addressed concerns, stating that visa matters are “sovereign prerogatives” of individual countries. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified during a weekly press briefing, saying, “Visa matters are sovereign matters. Whether Australia wants to issue a visa to X or Y, it’s their prerogative. So that is how we look at it.”
The crackdown comes amidst a proposal from Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton to reduce the number of international students in the country by 80,000. He argues that this measure will ease Australia’s housing crisis by making home ownership more affordable for young Australians. Dutton’s proposal also includes cutting permanent migration by 25%, claiming it will free up nearly 40,000 homes in the first year.
Dutton criticized the current government’s migration strategy, highlighting that the intake of 1.8 million new arrivals over five years was putting additional strain on the housing market, particularly in urban areas. He noted that the number of international students had increased by 65% since the previous election, contributing to a 25% rise in median rent prices.
In contrast, new data from February 2025 shows that India has become the top source country for student visas to Australia, surpassing China. That month alone, 2,734 Indian students were granted visas, a notable increase from 2,398 in January. By the end of February, the total number of student visas issued to Indian nationals had surpassed 5,000. This growth is attributed to Australia’s quality education system, strong career prospects, and vibrant campus life. Popular fields among Indian students include IT, engineering, business, and healthcare.
