Charles Darwin University to review overseas student quotas

CDU is considering the “implications” of the federal government’s overseas student allocations. Read the latest numbers.

The federal government has released long-awaited details around international student commencements in 2024.

Charles Darwin Univserity said the federal government had previously indicated 3000 students would start at its new CBD campus when it opened, but Education Minister Jason Clare on Tuesday announced an allocation of new 2200 international students for 2025.

This is a 10 per cent increase on the 2100 that commenced in 2023 and a 112 per cent increase on the 2024 allocation..

The federal government, through the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility, contributed $150m to build the $250m Charles Darwin University city campus.

Charles Darwin University Pro Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

CDU vice chancellor Scott Bowman said the university was working through the “implications” of the cap including for usage at the new campus as well as its potential impact on business and industry, while Mr Clare said the Territory’s allocation was fairer.

Professor Bowman travelled to Canberra in June to put the Territory’s case for a sustainable number of overseas students to provide critical mass to grow the new campuses business model.

“The importance of international students was the message I took to Canberra,” he said. “International students help the university to deliver tertiary education in the Territory for all Territorians.

“We have a clear direction on what we can offer international students.

“One of the biggest draws for international students is access to jobs. International students have more opportunities to enter the local workforce after studying at a regional university.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare in Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“There is a relationship between international students and the community that the federal government has recognised in this cap decision.

“Students want work in their fields of study, and the Northern Territory needs graduates to fill skill shortages in areas such as education, engineering and health.”

“We will continue to lobby the federal government for growth in order to meet the needs of the Territory now and into the future”.

Professor Bowman said CDU currently had 3500 international students, with 2100 commencing at CDU in 2023.

Jason Clare told the NT News the new allocation to CDU was a fairer way to manage the sector.

“The current arrangements have hit universities like CDU really hard,” he said.

“This is what we are fixing. Regional universities are the big winners.”

Mr Clare said CDU was receiving a 321 per cent increase on its international student commencements based on pre-pandemic levels.

This is the biggest increase that any university in the country is getting based on their pre-pandemic levels.