Falling international student numbers create ‘massive problems’ for Australian universities, expert warns

Australian universities are struggling to fill international student places due to visa uncertainty and heated political debate on immigration. According to the Department of Education's October data, universities are on average filling just two-thirds of their allocated places.

Regional areas are being hit the hardest, and university leaders are concerned that financial deficits could affect domestic students. Only five public universities have reached more than 80% capacity, and all of these are located in capital cities.

The uncertainty and debate are putting students off and increasing pressure on university budgets.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Guardian Australia, The Guardian — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.