Student visa refusals in Australia reach a 10-year high
In Australia, the share of student visa refusals has reached its highest level in a decade, rising from 7.9% in June 2016 to 24.2% in June this year. This was reported by ABC News Australia, citing data from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.
In 2025–2026, more than 51% of student visa applications from Nepal and more than 40% of applications from India were rejected. At the same time, the refusal rate for applications from China was 5.8%.
Genuine Student criterion
To obtain a student visa, an applicant must meet the Genuine Student criterion, which requires confirming an intention to genuinely study in Australia. Indonesian national Angelica Felincia said that her application was rejected within a day, although she attached a 27-page explanation of her reasons for studying in the country.
According to her, the refusal letter stated that the justification she submitted did not contain sufficiently convincing reasons for studying in Australia. The officer also questioned why she could not obtain an education in her own country.
An applicant from Nepal, Asif Rahim, submitted documents in March for a master’s program in accounting in Melbourne, but received a refusal in April. According to him, a significant number of his friends from Nepal also received refusals at the time, while the department did not find his study proposal convincing.
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Criticism of the assessment procedure
Migration agents interviewed by ABC News Australia said that some refusal letters contain vague or similar wording. The outlet reviewed several such letters and found nearly identical paragraphs with minor word changes and rephrased sentences.
Migration agent Phu Vu Minh believes that assessment under the Genuine Student criterion largely depends on the particular officer reviewing the application. Migration lawyer Chris Johnston reported a fivefold increase in the number of appeals initiated by applicants who are in Australia. He also noted that applicants from abroad cannot appeal a refusal.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs said it had introduced a number of measures to strengthen the integrity and quality of the international education sector and the student visa program. The department said that enhanced scrutiny had resulted in a higher refusal rate for applications that do not meet visa requirements, and stressed that each application is assessed individually in accordance with migration legislation.
Deakin University education professor Ly Tran acknowledged the need to combat low-quality education providers, frequent course changes to prolong stays, and the misuse of student visas. At the same time, she cautioned that overly broad restrictions could create an impression abroad that Australia has become less open to international students.
