Regional universities struggle to enrol international students amid visa refusals and heated political rhetoric

Expert says declining numbers are causing ‘massive problems’ as international students are ‘basically the only profitable aspect of university operations’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUniversity leaders warn they’re struggling to fill international student places due to visa uncertainty and heated political debate on immigration, with regional areas hit the hardest amid concern that financial deficits could affect domestic students.The latest numbers from the Department of Education in October show on average universities are filling just two-thirds of their allocated places, and just five public universities have reached more than 80% capacity, all in capital cities.