Australian Universities Ban Indian Students From Six States Amid Visa Fraud Concerns

Australia has officially denied reports of a ban on Indian student applications from specific states. Through an official clarification speech, a spokesperson from the Australian High Commission in New Delhi emphasised that such claims are incorrect. He highlighted that Indian students are important for Australia's international student community, and reassured that the country is very welcoming to them, stating, "There are strong ties between India and Australia". Check, Australia denies reports of banning Indian students from specific states' for detailed information. A spokesperson from the Australian High Commission in New Delhi also stated, “The assertion that Indian university student applications from specific Indian states are being banned, or restricted, is incorrect,”. Let us understand about the rumours highlighted through media about Australia banning Indian students from specific states in this article further for clearer understanding.

Amid growing concerns over student visa fraud and increasing misuse there were reports in 2023 that many Australian universities have imposed a blanket ban on students from 6 Indian states. According to the Department of Home Affairs report, 1 out of 4 applications was deemed as fraudulent. In light of these fraudulent visa concerns, Australian universities have taken decisive action to restrict applications of Indian students, specifically from 6 major Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. As per Federation University, there was a temporary pause on enrolments from five Indian states in May 2023, this was reviewed and adjusted, with enrolments recommencing on 18 September 2023.

Several Australian universities, including Edith Cowan University, Torrens University, Southern Cross University, Federation University, and Western Sydney University, have banned Indian students from specific Indian states. These universities have implemented stricter measures to address visa fraud and misuse. However, as per the Australian High Commission, New Delhi, "There are over 125,000 Indian students currently studying in Australia – the second largest cohort of students from any country - and the Australian Government continues to process Indian student visa applications in line with our global standards.”

It further added, "India and Australia continue to have a very strong relationship in the field of education.  Australia deeply values Indian students, and the Australian Government welcomes their contribution to our classrooms and Australian society,"

As per the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI), any restrictions imposed in 2023 were lifted within a month. As per a press release shared by AAERI, “In 2023, a few Australian universities had temporarily paused applications from certain regions due integrity issues. These were independent, institution-level decisions, not government mandates,”.

It further added, “All such restrictions were short-term and have since been lifted within one month. Visa grants to Indian students have increased by 19% in the past year, with 34,986 visas granted.”

In 2024, Australia warned several of its universities for immoral student recruitment practices in order to control student migration. Australia also increased evidence of savings to at least A$29,710 ($19,576) to grant a student visa. Also, the approval rate for Indian students applying to Australian student visa fell drastically from almost 90% in 2020-21 to 65% in 2024-25.

This has resulted in a worrying trend where more and more renowned universities in Australia have tightened their admission process, particularly for Indian students, to avoid the exploitation of the student visa application system. Let us now discuss in detail how several Australian universities have made decisions to reduce the number of applications from Indian students.

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