根據《印度斯坦時報》（Hindustan Times）的最新報導，澳大利亞政府近日宣布，將在2026年提高國際留學生的整體名額上限，新增名額達2.5萬人，增幅約為9%。而在這新增的學簽配額中，印度學生預計將成為最大受益群體，幾乎佔據主要比例。此舉立即在印度與澳大利亞兩國之間引發廣泛討論，不僅反映出印度學生海外求學的熱潮，也揭示澳洲在全球高等教育市場上策略性的調整。

根據報導，澳大利亞正迅速取代加拿大，成為印度學生心目中的「新留學天堂」。由於美國、英國與加拿大的學費與生活成本持續飆升，對許多印度中產階級家庭而言，澳大利亞提供一個性價比更高的選擇。澳洲的大學在世界排名中表現穩定，教育質量獲得國際認可，同時相對寬鬆的學生簽證與畢業後工作政策，使其吸引力不斷上升。

印度留學專家薩欽·賈恩（Sachin Jain）在接受《印度斯坦時報》採訪時表示，近年美、英、加三國的高學費與移民門檻讓普通印度家庭望而卻步。美國的簽證與移民制度過於嚴苛；英國雖開放，但留學後留下工作的難度依然不小；加拿大更是在2024年起對留學生移民實施新限制，縮減畢業工簽和永久居留配額。相比之下，澳大利亞則展現出更明顯的開放態度與靈活政策，逐漸成為繼美、英、加之後，印度學生的第四大熱門目的地。

實際數據顯示，光在2023年與2024年，已有超過10萬名印度學生前往澳大利亞就讀，而同時約有90萬名印度人在澳洲工作或定居。對於一個總人口僅約2700萬人的國家而言，印度移民人口的增長幅度極為明顯，已在當地社會、教育與勞動市場造成可觀的影響。

然而，隨著印度人在澳洲的數量激增，相關社會議題也逐漸浮現。部分澳洲民眾對印度留學生與技術移民的大量湧入表示擔憂，認為可能導致教育資源緊縮、租屋成本上升與工作競爭加劇。此外，有媒體揭露，一些印度學生在簽證到期後仍滯留不歸，要求澳洲政府給予永久居留身份（PR），引發社會爭議。這種「賴在澳洲不走」的現象在網路上引起了不少澳洲網友的不滿，部分輿論甚至開始呼籲政府加強簽證管理與驅逐力度。

與此同時，加拿大網友對這項消息反應頗為「輕鬆」。不少加拿大網民在社交平台上留言表示「強烈支持」印度學生轉往澳洲留學，暗指加拿大正為自己從留學生壓力中「解脫」。而澳大利亞網友的反應則較為分化，有人認為留學生帶動了消費與教育出口，是重要的經濟動力；也有人擔心，若政策過度傾向吸納外來學生，將使澳洲的住房危機與就業競爭惡化。

總體而言，這次澳洲政府擴大留學生名額的決策，既是為了刺激教育產業與國際經濟交流，也是對全球留學市場格局變化的回應。對印度而言，這是又一條通往海外高等教育與移民夢想的新途徑；而對澳大利亞而言，這既是經濟機會，也是一場社會與政策上的新考驗——如何在吸引國際人才與維護本地利益之間取得平衡，將成為未來幾年澳洲社會的重要課題。

According to a recent report by The Hindustan Times, Australia has officially announced a 25,000 increase in international student visa quotas for 2026, representing a 9% expansion. Indian students are expected to take the majority of these new study permits, a move that underscores Australia’s growing role as a major global destination for Indian learners.

The Indian media outlet described Australia as rapidly becoming the “new Canada” for Indian students. In recent years, rising tuition fees and living costs in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada have made studying in those countries less affordable for ordinary Indian families. In contrast, Australia offers a more cost-effective option without compromising educational quality, making it an increasingly attractive alternative.

Indian education consultant Sachin Jain told The Hindustan Times that while the U.S., U.K., and Canada continue to tighten their immigration and post-graduation work policies, Australia is taking the opposite approach—offering greater flexibility and accessibility. He explained that the U.S. immigration process is too restrictive for most Indians, while Canada’s new rules have made it harder for international graduates to obtain permanent residency. As a result, Australia is now emerging as the next top destination for Indian students, following the “Big Three” of the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Statistics support this trend: in 2023 and 2024 alone, more than 100,000 Indian students went to Australia to study, and around 900,000 Indians are currently living and working there. For a country with a total population of about 27 million, the social and economic impact of such a large influx is highly visible.

However, this rapid growth has not come without controversy. Some Australians have expressed concerns about the strain on housing, job markets, and educational resources, while reports have surfaced of Indian students overstaying their visas and demanding permanent residency after their permits expired. These incidents have sparked heated debate online, with many locals calling for tighter visa enforcement.

Interestingly, Canadian netizens reacted to this news with a touch of humor and relief—many saying they “fully support” Indian students choosing Australia instead, implying it might ease Canada’s own pressure from high international student numbers. Australian reactions, however, are more divided. Some view international students as vital to the economy, boosting education exports and consumer spending. Others fear that the government’s policies are prioritizing foreign students at the expense of locals, potentially worsening the housing shortage and job competition.

In summary, Australia’s decision to raise its student visa cap reflects both an economic strategy and a shift in global education dynamics. For India, it represents a new pathway to overseas education and migration. For Australia, it presents both an opportunity and a challenge: balancing the benefits of attracting international talent with the need to protect domestic interests. How the government manages this balance will likely shape the future of Australia’s social and immigration landscape in the years to come.