Increased student intake for Australia in 2026

Australia continues to welcome international students from all over the world, and is committed to offering the highest quality learning experience.  

The Australian Government has now announced its next annual ‘National Planning Level’ (NPL) for new international student commencements. In 2026, the NPL will be 295,000. This includes an additional 25,000 new international student allocations compared to 2025. 

What does the National Planning Level do? 

Australia’s National Planning Level (NPL) is not a cap or a limit on student numbers. It is a prioritisation system for Student visa applications. This means that any genuine student who meets the Student visa requirements can still apply.

The NPL is designed to make sure that our international student program can grow in a way that maintains the highest quality learning experience and creates the best possible outcomes for students. 

To manage the growth of the program in this way, the NPL is supported by a Student visa processing prioritisation system for Student visa applications. It only applies to visas lodged outside of Australia.

Student visa applications are processed as high priority until education and training providers in Australia reach their NPL allocation. After this, further visa applications are still accepted for that provider, but are processed more slowly. 

What’s new for 2026?

• The 2026 NPL includes 25,000 more new student commencements than in 2025, reflecting Australia’s commitment to welcoming international students. 
• Students from specified countries in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, Australian government scholarship holders and certain foreign government scholarship holders, as well as other specified cohorts, will retain fast (priority) visa processing.
• From 2026, international students moving to public universities after finishing secondary school in Australia, or coming from recognised pathway providers or TAFE institutes, will not be counted in the university’s NPL allocation.

What does this mean for you? 

• You can still apply for a visa as usual. 
• Fair and transparent processing continues for all eligible providers and students.
• Arrangements for 2026 are designed to maintain a positive and high-quality experience for all students.