The dramatic intervention,introduced by Education Minister Jason Clare in parliament,aims to force down migration.
University chiefs are being told to channel international students into courses that fill Australian skills shortages,deepening a dispute over federal plans to cap their annual intake.
Universities will be forced to stop a surge in overseas students,sparking fears about the impact on the $48 billion industry.
Coalition sources said immigration and homeownership would be central to Peter Dutton’s budget-in-reply speech as he develops an anti-“Big Australia” election narrative.
Private colleges have been told to stop recruiting fake overseas students within six months or risk losing their licences.
Pro-Israel supporters harassed a student encampment at Monash overnight while a Jewish rally confronted the University of Melbourne’s pro-Palestine camp on Thursday.
In two local government areas in WA,more than 10 per cent of the rental market is taken up by international students – well above the national average.
A new taskforce to police how universities are run will be pitched to state education ministers,as figures reveal the extent of corporatisation of university councils.
The Albanese government’s fix for migration has come under fire from the opposition and former high commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell.
Some universities,including at least one prestigious Group of Eight institution,have taken the drastic step of banning or limiting applications from countries deemed at high risk of visa refusal.
While the number of students coming from China has so far failed to meet rebound expectations in WA,another country has taken its place.