In 2025, 49% said there were about the right amount of international students in Australian universities.

The largest group of migrant arrivals to Australia is temporary students, with about 315,000 new overseas students commencing study in the higher education and vocational sectors last year. In the 2025 federal election campaign, both parties pledged to cap or reduce the annual student intake.

In 2025, more than half of Australians (56%) say the number of international students enrolled at Australian universities is either ‘about right’ (49%) or ‘too low’ (7%). However, 42% say the student intake is ‘too high’.