Z, a student from Suzhou, has no English test results yet but plans to apply for the Media program at UNSW for the 2026 intake.
Background: “More Quotas — Easier to Get In?”
When Z saw the headline a few days ago:
“Australia’s international student quota for 2026 will increase to 295,000 — an additional 25,000 places!”
Her first reaction was:“Great! I’m planning to apply for 2026. With more places available, does that mean it’ll be easier to get in?”
As her education consultants, we understood her excitement, but we needed to gently manage her expectations.
Policy Analysis: More Quotas, But a Tougher Process
The Australian Government’s latest data confirms:“In 2026, the overall international student quota will be 295,000, an increase of around 25,000 places compared to the previous year — up by 8%.”
At first glance, this seems like the first clear sign since COVID that Australia is actively encouraging international study.
However, behind the numbers are two key realities:
- Allocation Remains Opaque The government does not publish how many places each university gets. Top universities may still be “hard to get into.”
- Universities Are Competing for Quotas Only universities that align with government priorities (e.g., Southeast Asia partnerships, expanding on-campus housing) are likely to secure more places.
The Turning Point: Z Faced “Locked” Application Cycles
During the 2024 application season, Z noticed a trend: many universities used a “lock-release” system for applications:
- Application portals opened and closed unpredictably
- Some programs filled all spots within days, forcing late applicants into queues
- Popular universities like UNSW and the University of Sydney had highly unstable application schedules, with reports of system crashes and submission failures
So we told her: yes, there are more quotas — but that just makes the first-round application window even more competitive. The difficulty of getting in does NOT decrease simply because the quota goes up.
而The Real Advantage: Pathway Students
Starting in 2026, the government announced that students coming through Australian high schools, TAFE, or foundation programs will no longer count towards the university quota.
Z suddenly realized:“So if I come earlier for a foundation or TAFE course, I won’t be restricted by the quota at all!”/TAFE，就等于绕开了配额限制！
This is a huge advantage for students who plan early. Z ultimately decided to start a pathway program a year earlier, paving the way for a smoother undergraduate application in 2026.
Z’s story shows that policy incentives ≠ guaranteed benefit for everyone — only those who plan early can turn these opportunities into real offers.
Our Advice
- Start preparing at least 12 months in advance for popular universities
- If you are targeting the Group of Eight or highly competitive majors, consider foundation or transfer pathways
- Keep an eye on quota announcements — but don’t be blindly optimistic
If you’re also planning for the 2026 intake, now is the time to book a 1-on-1 background assessment with us. Every successful case starts with early planning and early action.