Australian student visa refusals hit decade high, with Nepali applicants facing sharp rejection rate

Canberra, Australia, September 11, 2026 — Australia’s student visa refusal rate has reached its highest level in a decade, with Nepali applicants facing one of the steepest rejection rates as the government tightens scrutiny of international students.

Data from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs shows that the overall refusal rate for student visa applications rose to 24.2% in June 2026, up sharply from 7.9% in June 2016. The increase comes as Australia implements measures aimed at strengthening the integrity of its international education and student visa systems.

For Nepali students, the figures are particularly concerning. More than 51% of student visa applications from Nepal were rejected during the 2025–26 period, according to data cited by ABC News. India also recorded a refusal rate of more than 40%, while the rate for applicants from China was 5.8%.

The development is significant for Nepal because Australia remains one of the most popular destinations for Nepali students. Australian government data shows that 71,177 students from Nepal commenced or continued studies in Australia in 2025. In the year to May 2026, Nepal accounted for 9% of all international students in Australia, making it the third-largest source country after China and India.

The rejection figures are also being felt directly by Nepali applicants. ABC reported the case of Asif Rahim, who applied in March to study for a master’s degree in accounting in Melbourne and was refused the following month. Rahim said he had seen a large number of refusals among Nepali applicants who had applied around the same time.