One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has called for foreign students to be required to leave Australia before applying for further study, arguing the current visa system is being exploited through course changes, bridging visas and asylum claims.
The proposal, released on Tuesday, forms part of One Nation’s broader push to reduce migration levels and tighten visa rules amid ongoing debate over housing affordability, temporary migration and pressure on public services.
Hanson said the current arrangements allow some students to remain in Australia for extended periods despite no longer pursuing their original studies.
“Many of these people are occupying homes and accessing services that should be for Australians first,” Senator Hanson said. “It’s apparent that when it comes to some of these students, there’s no intention to study and every intention of abusing the system to access economic benefits and high Australian wages.”
The One Nation leader argued that some visa holders were using what she described as “course-hopping” to extend their stay in Australia.
“There’s been an explosion of foreign students abusing the system with ‘course-hopping’. They get a student visa, drop out soon after and apply to a bunch of bogus schools or courses while remaining on a bridging visa which allows them to work and access housing and services in Australia.”
The comments come as Australia continues to debate the role of international education, which remains one of the country’s largest export industries and a major source of revenue for universities and vocational education providers.
Hanson claimed lengthy processing times for visa applications, appeals and asylum claims were contributing to the growth in bridging visa numbers.
“On average these bridging visas last around 200 days before their new study visa application is processed. If they’re knocked back they just appeal it – the average waiting time for appeals is another 64 weeks, again on a bridging visa. Many even claim asylum despite having no grounds, because your average waiting time on such an application is around three years. If that’s knocked back, they just appeal it again so they can spend more time making money in Australia.”
“There’s been an explosion of foreign students abusing the system with ‘course-hopping’. They get a student visa, drop out soon after and apply to a bunch of bogus schools or courses while remaining on a bridging visa which allows them to work and access housing and services in Australia.”
The senator pointed to figures showing a rise in foreign students on bridging visas and accused universities of benefiting financially from the system.
“The number of foreign students on bridging visas has blown out from 13,000 to more than 107,000 in just three years. The system is being scammed, and universities addicted to foreign student money are part of the problem. It’s no coincidence many universities based elsewhere have campuses and shop fronts in Sydney where most foreign students want to end up. For what reason does Central Queensland University – which in 2023 recorded a 57.2% first-year dropout rate among foreign students – have a campus in Sydney if not to grab a slice of the foreign student windfall?”
Australia’s international education sector has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with universities increasingly reliant on overseas student fees as a source of income. The sector contributes billions of dollars annually to the national economy and supports employment across education, accommodation, retail, hospitality and tourism.
The latest comments from Hanson are likely to attract attention from international students and migrant communities, particularly those navigating Australia’s education-to-migration pathways. India remains one of Australia’s largest sources of international students, alongside China, Nepal, the Philippines and several Southeast Asian nations.
Hanson said the growth in temporary migration highlighted the need for stronger restrictions and greater focus on domestic students.
“It’s another example of why Australian universities must be broken of their addiction to foreign students and be forced to prioritise education for Australians.”
Under One Nation’s proposal, foreign students who discontinue their studies would be required to leave Australia rather than remain on bridging visas while pursuing further applications. Hanson said the policy would also prevent those students from lodging appeals through the Australian Review Tribunal.
The proposal adds to a growing national debate about migration, housing supply, university funding and the role of temporary visa holders in Australia’s economy. With migration expected to remain a key political issue in the lead-up to the next federal election, pressure is likely to continue on both major parties to explain how they would manage student visa numbers while maintaining Australia’s position as a leading international education destination.
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