Australia bans new international student enrolments in graduate diploma course

Australia has cancelled new international student enrolments in the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (GDML), citing evidence that the course was being used for onshore transfers by non-genuine students. The course was also linked to high visa refusal and non-completion rates.

The decision is the first use of the Albanese Government’s new course cancellation powers.

“The government will continue to act decisively to ensure Australia remains a trusted global education destination, to protect international students and to prevent misuse of the student visa system," Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill said.

452 providers affected

The GDML course, listed under code BSB80120, is offered to international students by 452 vocational education and training providers.

These providers will have their Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registration for the course automatically suspended or cancelled.

VET providers and education agents will no longer be allowed to recruit new international students into the course or offer it to them.

Existing students can complete the course

Students who have already started the GDML course will be allowed to complete their studies with their current provider.

There are 41,033 active Confirmations of Enrolment in the course. Of these, 15,772 students are recorded as currently studying it.

The government said the targeted action would strengthen the quality and integrity of Australia’s international education sector and protect international students.

New course cancellation powers

The move follows integrity reforms passed by the government in November 2025.

The reforms give the minister the power to specify a course for automatic suspension and cancellation based on issues such as systemic problems in course delivery, its alignment with Australia’s skills needs and the public interest.

The government said it would continue working with relevant regulators to monitor the impact of the decision on the education sector and Australia’s visa system.

“The Coalition left behind a shocking mess in 2022, with unsustainably high growth in student numbers in the least reputable parts of the sector, and our high-quality student visa being degraded into a low-rent illegal work visa and misused by shonks, Hill said.

“Australia continues to welcome genuine international students seeking a premium education and must maintain a ruthless focus on quality, integrity and a great student experience,” Hill added.