Australian Student Visa Cancellations Soar Past 15,000, Tripling in Just a Few Years

Over 15,300 international students pulled out of their Australian visa applications last year, marking a considerable rise from around 5,000 withdrawals in both 2023 and 2019, as per governmental statistics.

The number of withdrawn visa applications increased from 4,156 in 2019 to approximately 5,700 in 2023, accounting for around 1% of all submissions in each respective year.

In 2024, withdrawals increased significantly to 15,348, representing 3.6% of all submitted applications, according to Andrew Norton from Monash University, who referenced information provided by the Department of Home Affairs.

Significantly more withdrawals occurred among vocational education applicants (6.1%) as opposed to higher education applicants (2.8%).

Norton indicated on his website that the increase in withdrawal numbers might indicate students "abandoning hope" for their future in Australia. As of June of the previous year, he pointed out that the average visa processing duration stood at 94 days for higher education programs and 171 days for vocational courses.

He noted that it would be reasonable for candidates to simply abandon their efforts and proceed elsewhere.

The highest monthly withdrawal figures were observed in March 2024, which aligns with the period when media outlets highlighted the institutions’ initiatives to eliminate high-risk applications from the system.

Norton points out that potential students are likewise wary of risking their future prospects.

"Applicants have to disclose previous visa denials when applying for visas in the future; however, the impact varies based on the reasons for these refusals. He advised that if someone thinks their application might get denied, they should consider withdrawing it instead," he clarified.

For educational institutions, visa rejection rates have a direct impact on their total immigration risk scores. These scores dictate the amount of proof needed from prospective students when they apply for visas in the future.

In February 2024, eight Australian institutions—including Western Sydney University, Macquarie, Wollongong, La Trobe, Deakin, Central Queensland, Edith Cowan, and Kaplan Business School— stated that they have canceled the acceptance offers Or requested withdrawals from international students and recruitment agents.

Every fee that was paid by the applicants has been returned.

Following an updated policy from the Australian Department of Home Affairs announced in December, universities have been grouped into three risk categories according to their past visa rejection rates.

Higher-risk institutions must enforce tougher visa conditions, which involve more rigorous evidence of both English skills and financial stability. As a result, colleges have decided to revoke acceptance letters primarily for applicants from countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan, where visa denials occur at greater frequencies, aiming to safeguard their standing regarding immigration risks.

Starting at the conclusion of 2023, Australia has strengthened its policies for student visas with the aim of gaining more control over immigration. The changes encompass shortening the allowed period of residence following completion of studies, elevating the standards for demonstrating English-language competency, disallowing transitions from visitor visas into student visas, and boosting the required financial documentation by roughly 20%, which now stands at about AUD$29,710 (US$19,820).

Australia continues to be among the premier choices for students looking to study abroad, ranking alongside countries like the United States and Canada as a favored destination. It boasts one of the biggest concentrations of international students worldwide. By November 2024, Vietnam had contributed approximately 22,000 students to this population, establishing itself as home to one of the most substantial groups of overseas learners in Australia.