Charles Darwin University - Submission to the Review of Regional Migration Settings - Discussion Paper

Sep 15, 2026

Charles Darwin University (CDU) submits a discussion paper addressing international student considerations within the broader regional migration review. The submission explains CDU’s strategic role as a dual-sector university in the Northern Territory, highlights the Territory’s small population base and the importance of international students to community vibrancy and skills supply, and outlines barriers and opportunities tied to housing and rental vacancy. It recommends measures including market support, onshore options for remote locations, and adjustments to classification, evidence requirements, schooling access, and student visa working hours.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Summary of Recommendations

Our International Student Profile

CDU is dual sector in a thin student market

CDU Recommendations to Support Strong and Sustainable Regions

Charles Darwin University Submission to the Review of Regional Migration Settings Discussion Paper. Table of Contents Australia’s most connected university. 3 Summary of Recommendations. 3 Our International Student Profile. 4 CDU is dual sector in a thin student market. 5 The Territory embraces international students. 5 International students are essential to the economy of the Territory. 7 Housing availability with room for growth. 8 The loan required to finance the new CDU city campus was predicated on growth. 9 Impact of the Migration Strategy on Regional Institutions. 9 Maintaining a Robust Student Pipeline. 10 CDU Recommendations to Support Strong and Sustainable Regions. 10 Australia’s most connected university. Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) vision is to be Australia’s most connected university by being courageous and making a difference in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia and beyond. Being a dual sector university allows CDU to meet the education needs of Territorians, with campuses in Darwin, Alice Springs, Palmerston and Katherine and in study centres in Nhulunbuy and Tennant Creek. CDU has a proud history of delivering on country in some of the NT’s most remote locations, bringing training directly to communities who need it in places such as Galiwinku, Maningrida, Borroloola, Wadeye and Hermannsburg. At the heart of CDU, is the engagement of First Nations students to support their attainment of vocational and higher education (degree education) . The NT spans approximately one sixth of Australia’s landmass and yet is home to just one per cent of the population, of whom 30 per cent are First Nations peoples. CDU embrace the vitality and resilience of the Northern Territory, which is the focus of the nation’s most ambitious plans for future development – to unlock the vast potential of Northern Australia and to engage with our neighbours in the Asia Pacific. Due to our location, we are in an enviable position to contribute to the future prosperity of Northern Australia through innovative and impactful training, education and research. International education is a vital part of CDU. Nationally, our international student numbers are tiny, but to CDU and the NT they are very significant. International students bring a vibrancy to Darwin; are warmly welcomed into the community; and help fill skills gaps while studying and upon graduation. In the context of dire skills shortages, and lower than national average rental vacancies, the social license for international education in the NT is distinct from that in major metropolitan cities. The Territory is ready and waiting to accommodate and welcome more international students-we have aligned our CDU growth plans with the NT Government’s target to reach 10,000 international students by 2030. CDU continues to strongly advocate for its ambition to reach growth projections for international education and training. As the only University headquartered in the NT, CDU continues to receive the strong support of the NT Government to realise the benefits of a strong and diverse international education environment. | Summary of Recommendations . | | --- | | Although outside the immediate scope of the migration review, we are submitting this document to specifically address international students. This aligns with our area of expertise and highlights the significant potential for attracting international students to the Territory as a clear migration pathway for living, working, and studying in our region. CDU recommends the following:
1. Support Existing Strong Markets.
2. Allow Onshore Applications for Remote Locations.
3. Establish a Category 4 Classification.
4. Revise Evidence Level (EL) Requirements.
5. Free School Fees for Dependents.
6. Increase Working Hours for Student Visa Holders.
7. Improve Institutional Retention. | Our International Student Profile . At a snapshot, our current international stu

FAQs

What is the purpose of CDU’s submission to the regional migration review?

CDU submits the discussion paper to address international students specifically, aligning with its expertise and emphasizing international students as a migration pathway for living, working, and studying in the region.

Why does CDU consider international students important for the Northern Territory?

International students bring community vibrancy, help fill skills gaps during study and after graduation, and the social license for international education is described as distinct from major metropolitan cities given skills shortages and lower rental vacancy.

What key recommendations does CDU make to support international education and regional outcomes?

CDU recommends supporting existing strong markets, enabling onshore applications for remote locations, establishing a Category 4 classification, revising evidence-level requirements, and expanding supports such as free school fees for dependents and increased working hours for student visa holders.

Sep 15, 2026

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