Despite repeated announcements by the Australian government of a crackdown on international student inflows, the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Department of Education paint a different picture — and one that directly impacts the growing Nepalese student community in Australia.
According to ABS data released on Tuesday, Australia recorded a record net 245,890 permanent and long-term arrivals in the first five months of 2025, signalling a surge in immigration, with international students playing a significant role in the increase.
In May 2025 alone, 39,210 international students arrived in Australia, a rise of 1,200 compared to May 2024, and an impressive 14.4% increase compared to pre-COVID levels in May 2019.
This comes despite repeated statements from the Albanese government about tightening rules around student visas and reducing migration pressure.
Nepalese Students Part of the Record-Breaking Enrolment Figures
Department of Education figures reveal that 794,113 international students were enrolled across Australian institutions between January and April 2025, surpassing the 2024 record by around 27,000 students.
Among these, Nepal continues to be one of the top five source countries for international students, with thousands of young Nepalese arriving each year to pursue higher education, particularly in fields like nursing, IT, and business.
While the exact breakdown by nationality for 2025 is still pending, in 2024 Nepalese students accounted for over 11% of total international student enrolments, second only to India and China. This trend is expected to continue, if not grow.
Commencements Decline, But Visa Arrivals Remain Steady
Interestingly, while overall enrolments hit record levels, the number of new student commencements declined to 219,791 in the first four months of 2025 — a sign that the flow of new entrants might be slowing slightly.
However, visa arrivals have returned to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that students are still finding ways to enter the country even as visa policies shift. Many Nepalese students have shared concerns over increased scrutiny, higher financial requirements, and stricter English language criteria. Yet, the data suggests these changes have not significantly reduced the overall intake — at least not yet.
What This Means for the Nepalese Community
For the vibrant and rapidly growing Nepalese diaspora in Australia — especially in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide — the steady stream of new students brings both opportunities and challenges.
Community leaders note the increasing pressure on housing, job markets, and education quality, but also highlight the positive contributions of Nepalese youth to the Australian economy and multicultural fabric.
“We are seeing more Nepalese students than ever before — not just coming to study, but to build futures here,” said Binita Gurung, an education consultant in Sydney. “They are working, volunteering, and integrating into local communities. But we need support systems to keep up with this growth.”
As Australia grapples with its migration strategy post-COVID, the data suggests that international education — and students from Nepal — will remain central to the conversation, regardless of political rhetoric.
