Australian Education Daily Brief — Thursday, 20 August 2026

Filter

Top of the brief

A Navitas survey of 870 education agents across 64 countries (May 2026) finds New Zealand has displaced Australia as agents' top-ranked study destination for the first time, with 82% of agents citing cost as the leading factor in student choice and 41% strongly agreeing that lower visa acceptance rates are actively deterring qualified, genuine applicants (19 August). Jon Chew, Navitas chief insights officer: "Governments may be intent on improving quality and integrity of student visa grants, but their actions may be having the opposite effect by putting off the very students they are trying to attract." Australia retained second position ahead of the UK and Canada; post-study work rights (cited by 61% of agents) sustained Australia's competitive appeal, while 78% of agents reported increased student need for academic support and 82% for social and mental health support. (The PIE, 19 August)

Julian Hill signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Education and Research with Brazil's Ministry of Education — represented by Secretary of Regulation and Supervision of Higher Education Marta Wendel Abramo — on 13 August 2026, formalising bilateral education and research cooperation between the two countries (published 18 August). Brazil sits among the diversification markets Australian providers have been encouraged to develop as South Asian visa refusal rates constrain traditional recruitment corridors. (Department of Education, 18 August)

Standing figures: 2026 NPL 295,000 (+25,000 on 2025); visa refusal rates 69% Nepal, 42% India (early 2026); domestic commencements 413,133 (+4.3% YoY); $50m over-enrolment fund; $50m Structural Adjustment Fund.