Alongside its visa fee increase, the Australian government has confirmed the size of its 2026 international student intake.
A higher cap for 2026
Australia set its 2026 National Planning Level (NPL) at 295,000 new international student commencements — roughly 9% higher (about 25,000 more places) than in 2025. The planning level allocates commencement numbers across universities and other education providers.
The government has said it will prioritise students from Southeast Asia in how places are distributed, reflecting a push to broaden Australia's international student base.
What it means for you
A higher cap means more places overall, but the number available at any single university is still limited — popular institutions can fill their allocation, so apply early for your intended intake. The change sits alongside higher, non-refundable visa fees (the subclass 500 fee rose to AU$2,500 from 1 July 2026), so plan both your application timing and your budget carefully.
See our Australia study guides and verified consultancy reviews, and use the study cost calculator to estimate your total costs.
Sources: Australian Government (Study Australia); Department of Education.