A post circulating on LinkedIn appears to show the Australian Catholic University updating its agent partners with information that explains due to the government’s National Planning Level, the university will no longer be offering places for 2025 courses that fall under the proposed caps.
“Regrettably due to the recent policy updates, the NPL being implemented by the Australian government, and the high demand for ACU programs, we have reached our provider limit for 2025. We will no longer issue offers or acceptances for non-exempt with a 2025 start date, effective immediately,” a letter to agents reads.
“We understand that this may be disappointing, and recognise that this is a difficult situation for you and your students. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and look forward to working closely with you to support you in the future.”
In its International Student Profile communicated by the government, ACU was given an indicative cap of 1,700 new overseas student commencements which is 8% higher than the 2023 levels for this particular institution.
Although the federal government’s proposed cap on international enrolments is not yet final, with the Bill currently before the Senate and the next public hearing set for October 2, it seems the institution is exercising caution by pausing recruitment for 2025.
ACU applications for 2026 courses are now open, the communications suggested. If students choose not to defer to a non-exempt program or defer to 2026, full refunds will be issued to students who have made payments but have not yet received their Confirmation of Enrolment.
Meanwhile, ACU’s website suggests that applications for 2025 remain open.
Jake Foster, chief commercial officer at AECC commented: “He we are seeing an example of an Australian university hitting its student cap before the recruitment cycle has really started. This is unprecedented and it is ultimately bad for student choice, especially so if an institution has extra capacity but has had to close its intake due to an artificial and arbitrary cap.”
It is hard to imagine that students will see early closures of intakes as a positive message
Jake Foster, AECC
“Institutions have no choice in the matter, but it is hard to imagine that students will see early closures of intakes as a positive message when it comes to considering Australia as a study destination.”
According to Foster, the government’s proposed caps risk damaging Australia’s reputation as a study destination, and are already a “tough blow” for international students who have been preparing for months, only to find the doors to applying closing just weeks after they opened.
The PIE has reached out to the Australian Catholic University for comment and will update this article with any new information as it becomes available.
