The Australian High Commission in New Delhi has rejected media reports suggesting that certain Australian education institutions are refusing student applications from particular Indian states, including Gujarat.&nbsp;
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the Commission addressed the allegations, stating that no bans or restrictions are in place for applicants from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, or Jammu and Kashmir.
&ldquo;The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect,&rdquo; the Commission stated.
It further emphasized that, &ldquo;There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia &ndash; the second largest cohort of students from any country &ndash; and the Australian Government continues to process Indian student visa applications in line with our global standards.&rdquo;
India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also responded to the issue, highlighting that visa decisions fall within the sovereign rights of each nation.
&ldquo;Visa matters are sovereign matters. Whether Australia wants to issue a visa to X or Y, it's their prerogative. So that is how we look at it,&rdquo; said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a weekly press briefing on April 22, when asked about reports of limitations on student applications from specific states.&nbsp;
The topic has gained further attention following comments from Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton, who proposed a significant cut to international student numbers during a policy announcement on April 6.
&ldquo;ANNOUNCED: We will cap international student numbers and reduce permanent migration by 25% &ndash; freeing up nearly 40,000 homes in the first year,&rdquo; Dutton posted on the social media platform X.
He criticised the current administration's approach to migration, citing an influx of 1.8 million new arrivals over the past five years and arguing that the surge has intensified housing shortages in key metropolitan areas.
Dutton noted that international student enrolment has grown by 65% since the previous federal election, rising from 520,000 to more than 850,000. Over the same timeframe, the country&rsquo;s median rent has increased by 25%.
Amid these discussions, new statistics from February 2025 reveal that India has surpassed China as the leading source of student visas to Australia. In that month alone, 2,734 Indian students were granted visas, up from 2,398 in January. The cumulative total by the end of February crossed 5,000.
The continued rise in enrolments from India has been linked to Australia&rsquo;s strengths in sectors such as information technology, engineering, business and healthcare, as well as appealing post-study work opportunities and an engaging student environment.
(With inputs from agencies)
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PM Modi with Australian PM Anthony Albanese

Australia confirms no state-based restrictions on Indian student visas as enrolments and demand for courses grow

No Student Visa Ban for Indian States, Says Australia

Australia confirms no state-based restrictions on Indian student visas as enrolments and demand for courses grow

April 24, 2025 | 16:56 IST