There is a need for stability in the international education sector, following the sharpest decline in net sentiment in recent years among international students. According to Voyage’s 2025 Federal Election: Student Sentiment Rapid Response, negative sentiment among international students has risen from 28 per cent in January to 44 per cent in March.
Voyage also found that, prior to Saturday’s Federal election, the top three emotions associated with Australia by international students was sadness, fear and disgust.
Some of the key trends identified in March and April that are driving the perceptions of students and parents include high visa rejection rates, student visa withdrawals and the Coalition’s migration policy platform. The report also highlights that in mid-April the impact of Ministerial Direction 111 turned sentiment sharply negative, with wait times for student visa approvals pushing out to 16-18 weeks.
“What this community needs now is not just short-term reassurance, but real and lasting stability after the election. They are asking for transparency, consistency and to feel genuinely included in the future of this country,” said Varsha Devi Balakrishnan, Voyage’s Head of Student Insights and Strategy.
International students were unable to escape the lead-up to the federal election, as they were exposed to direct political messaging, including the SMS messages that bombarded mobile phones across Australia from the Trumpet of Patriots.
According to Voyage, these messages make the election feel inescapable for international students, especially as they cannot vote.
“Hostile messaging creates a climate of fear, undermining the sense of safety and belonging that students need to thrive,” the report says.
Student responses to these messages included:
- “Getting these messages makes me anxious. I worry about whether I am even safe here in the long term”
- “It is like a constant reminder that I do not belong, no matter how hard I try.”
- “I am contributing, paying taxes, paying fees, but they still want me gone.”
Although the election has created instability, Balakrishnan points out that a Labor victory is not necessarily a panacea.
“A Labor win may offer a pause in the political noise, but we cannot overlook that many of the challenges currently facing international students have come from Labor’s own policies. These include prolonged visa delays, rising costs, and changing migration settings. Students, parents and graduates are feeling the weight of this uncertainty,” said Balakrishnan.
The report highlights issues that worry students about a re-elected Labor Government, including:
- Visa fee increases, including the proposed increase to $2000 from 1 July 2025
- Ministerial Direction 111, prioritising student visas for providers under 80% of their annual cap
- No concrete new pathway to permanent residence
One of the report’s conclusions is that Australia’s global education brand is being tested, and the political treatment of international students risks long-term reputational damage. It recommends that Australian institutions should show visible commitment and keep current students engaged throughout their studies. It also recommends keeping ongoing engagement with prospective students in these times of uncertainty.
Balakrishnan says, “As an incredibly in demand and valuable study destination, we must ask ourselves: do we truly want international students, and do we value them? If the answer is yes, then our policies, political language and institutional actions must reflect that without delay”.
Through its insights platform, The Social Source, Voyage provides AI-powered student sentiment insights. For more information on the Rapid Response report, contact Varsha: varsha@myvoyage.io
