Over 40% of Indian student visa applications rejected by Australia

New Delhi: Australia has tightened scrutiny of international students, pushing the country’s student visa rejection rate to its highest level in a decade. More than 40% of student visa applications from India were rejected in the 2025-26 financial year, according to a report.

More than 51% of applications from Nepal were also rejected, while the rejection rate for applicants from China stood at 5.8%.

Data from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs showed that 24.2% of student visa applications were rejected in June 2026, compared with 7.9% in June 2016.

Australia has strengthened visa scrutiny as part of measures to safeguard the integrity of its international education and migration systems. Applicants must demonstrate that they genuinely intend to travel to Australia for education.

Authorities will assess factors including conditions in the applicant’s home country, circumstances in Australia, the future prospects of the chosen course, the applicant’s previous education and employment history, and their migration history.

The Australian government said the stricter scrutiny aims to prevent misuse of the student visa system and ensure that only genuine students enter the country.