Hanson Targets Foreign Student ‘Course-Hopping’ in Migration Crackdown

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson says international students are abusing the immigration system by switching between courses and lodging appeals.

Leader of One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Jan. 19, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson has vowed to crack down on what she says is abuse of the immigration system by foreign students.

Hanson claimed international students should be required to return home before applying for further study in Australia to prevent them from moving between courses as a way of extending their stay in the country.

“Many of these people are occupying homes and accessing services that should be for Australians first,” Hanson said in a statement.

“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.

“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.”

Home Affairs data shows there are just under three million temporary visa holders currently in Australia, up from 1.73 million in 2021.

According to the One Nation leader, a bridging visa lasts for around 200 days before a new study application is processed.

She also said applicants whose visas are refused can then appeal the decision, a process that can take a further 64 weeks, or apply for asylum, with claims taking around three years to resolve and potentially longer if appeals are lodged.

“The number of foreign students on bridging visas has blown out from 13,000 to more than 107,000 in just three years,” Hanson said.

“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 percent first-year dropout rate among foreign students–have a campus in Sydney if not to grab a slice of the foreign student windfall?”

Groups Defend Foreign Students

Education body Universities Australia argues foreign students are important to the national economy, generating around $48 billion annually and creating more than 250,000 jobs.

The group also states that international students strengthen Australia’s global diplomacy efforts while offering students a high quality of life.

Australia is now the third most popular destination in the world for international students, since the option became available during the 1950s.

“Australian universities have deepened our global connections, enhancing our education and research programs by educating international students, research collaborations, and the exchange of students and staff,” a group statement said.

Meanwhile, in April, the Property Council of Australia said the nation’s housing challenges would not be solved by cracking down on overseas students.

“International students are temporary visitors, and in Australia many live in purpose‑built student accommodation that has been deliberately designed to keep student demand out of the private rental market,” Student Accommodation Council Executive Director Adele Lausberg said.

“We know through research undertaken by Mandala Partners on behalf of the Student Accommodation Council that international students account for around 6 percent of Australia’s total rental market.

“That context matters, particularly when students are increasingly housed in accommodation built specifically for them, rather than competing with local renters.”

The Epoch Times has contacted Universities Australia, Central Queensland University, and the Home Affairs Department for comment.