Introduction
The Australian Government has officially announced the international student allocation for public universities for 2026 intakes. The allocation, on a hand, reaffirms the government’s commitment to sustainable growth within the international education sector, a key national asset worth $51 billion annually. On another hand, it helps control the quantity of international students and the quality of the teaching and training.
Balancing Growth with Responsibility
On 4 August 2025, the Government announced a National Planning Level of 295,000 new overseas student commencements (NOSCs) for 2026, which is 25,000 higher than those for 2025. Of the 295,000 NOSCs, 95,000 spaces have been allocated for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and 140,000 spaces have been allocated to Australian public universities. The principle of the allocation is that no university would receive fewer places than in 2025, and that those meeting certain criteria can request an increase in the NOSCs. Below are two key federal priorities:
- Engagement with Southeast Asia: This priority is consistent with the long-term economic and social strategies of Australia where Australia will create more economic connections/collaboration with Southeast Asian countries.
- Provision of student accommodation: If universities wish to increase the number of new student enrollments, they must demonstrate the capacity to provide more accommodation for students. This is to ensure that both domestic and international students can access to safe and secure housing.
Key Trends and Sector Dynamics
The 2026 National Planning Level comes amid the situation that with student visa applications were down 26% compared to the previous year, and that the new allocation can help international education sectors develop more sustainably.
Of the 37 public universities in Australia, five chose not to request additional places for international students, while 32 sought to expand their allocations.
The final outcome reflects a targeted growth strategy:
- Regional universities, such as Charles Sturt University, Federation University, the University of Newcastle, and Charles Darwin University, have been given the largest proportional increases, which is consistent with government efforts to encourage more students to live and study in regional areas.
- Universities who invested more in new student accommodation were also rewarded. Over 11,000 new beds are under construction, with 15,000 more approved and an additional 12,000 in the planning pipeline. This helps reduce the burden on housing crisis across Australia.
Allocations for 2026 for Australian Public Universities
Below is the list of public universities that received the highest 2026 New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) allocations.
| University | 2026 NOSC Allocation |
| University of Sydney | 11,900 |
| Monash University | 11,300 |
| University of Melbourne | 10,500 |
| University of New South Wales | 10,350 |
| University of Queensland | 8,050 |
| RMIT University | 7,700 |
| Adelaide University (post-merger) | 7,350 |
| Deakin University | 6,550 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 5,350 |
| Macquarie University | 5,250 |
Please note that the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will officially merge to become Adelaide University from 1 January 2026, so the international students allocation of 7,350 is for new Adelaide University post-merger.
Implication for international students
Being aware of these allocations is important for international students, as it helps them identify which universities can still accept more international students. Contact us to find out which universities still have available places in the course you’re looking for. Our team provides a fast and free admission process to make your application as smooth as possible.
For visa application purposes, the Australian Government will prioritise student visa applications for universities whose international enrolments have not yet reached 80% of their allocated capacity. This means visa processing for these institutions will generally be faster compared to those that have already reached over 80% capacity.
If you need to apply for your student visa urgently, it’s important to choose a university that still has available slots for international students.
Conclusion
Australia’s 2026 international student allocations reflect the strong commitment to international education growth. However, the Government wishes to create a strategic planning to ensure sustainability of the international education sector, and to spread the benefits of this industry across the country, including regional areas.
If you wish to study or apply for a student visa to Australia, contact our Experienced Teams at 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com for comprehensive support.