Under the new policy framework, the national plan will set 295,000 places for international students in 2026 — a 9% increase from 270,000 in 2025.
Notably, Australian public universities will be able to apply for higher international student quotas for 2026 by demonstrating stronger engagement with Southeast Asia through academic programmes, partnerships, campuses, alumni networks, and scholarship schemes.
Universities will also be required to provide additional accommodation to ensure both domestic and international students have safe and suitable housing.
The Australian Government encourages universities to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asia in line with its Invested strategy — Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.
Australia is currently the third most popular study destination for Vietnamese students, with over 33,000 enrolled. Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Gillian Bird welcomed the announcement, saying that this is great news for Vietnamese students who wish to study at Australia’s leading educational institutions.
According to Ambassador Bird, education has long been a cornerstone of the Australia – Viet Nam relationship, and these new efforts to increase student numbers will help strengthen people-to-people links and promote investment in Viet Nam.
