$500m Adelaide University merger squeezed by international student cuts
The new Adelaide University is not on track to meet its international student targets and is staring down tens of millions in lost revenue, with the federal government's migration clampdown squeezing the business case for the newly merged institution.
The newly merged Adelaide University is struggling to meet its international student targets and is facing potential revenue losses of tens of millions of dollars. The merger of the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia, backed by a $464.5 million state government package, was completed in January 2026. However, the university is now enrolling fewer international students than projected, with only 16,677 international students enrolled in 2026 compared to 20,820 in the same period last year.
The decline is attributed to federal government policies, including higher student visa fees, fewer visa applications, and a cap on new international student enrolments. Professor Jessica Gallagher, Adelaide University's deputy vice chancellor, international and external engagement, expressed concern over the policy direction, stating it jeopardizes the university's target of attracting 6,000 additional international students.
The government's migration crackdown has had a significant impact on the university's attractiveness to international students, with Professor Gallagher warning that meeting the target would be a much tougher challenge.
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