This will allow for 145,000 enrolments at public universities, 95,000 foreign student commencements in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, and 30,000 places at other universities and providers.

This will only come into force if the federal government can pass legislation on the cap.

Education Minister Jason Clare says there are roughly 10 per cent more international students in universities than before the COVID-19 pandemic and 50 per cent more in private VET providers.

“Students are back, but so are the stocks of people that are seeking to exploit this industry to make a quick buck,” he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.

“What it means for universities is that they will have roughly the same number of students starting next year as they did last year for the entire sector.”