Australia Cancels Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) for New International Students

The Australian government, through Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill, announced on Friday the immediate cessation of new international student enrolments in the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (GDML) course, effective September 6, 2026. This decision, updated at 11:56 AM IST today, applies across Australia and targets the GDML course identified as BSB80120.

This marks the first instance of the Australian government utilising its recently acquired powers to cancel a specific course for international students, a move aimed at fortifying the integrity of its international education and student visa systems amidst concerns of misuse and non-genuine student transfers.

Gdml Course Cancellation: What It Means for Students and Providers

The Australian government’s decision specifically targets new international student enrolments in the Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) (GDML) course. While education providers and agents are now prohibited from recruiting any new international students for this programme, students who are already enrolled and actively studying the GDML course will be permitted to complete their studies without interruption. This measure ensures that existing students are not unduly disadvantaged by the new policy.

For vocational education and training (VET) providers currently offering the GDML course, their Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registration for the BSB80120 course will be automatically suspended or cancelled. A total of 452 VET providers across Australia are presently registered to offer the GDML course to international students, indicating the broad impact of this policy change on the sector.

Reasons Behind the Gdml Course Suspension

Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill stated that the decision stems from significant concerns regarding the misuse of the student visa system. The government identified issues such as the facilitation of onshore course transfers by non-genuine students, coupled with high rates of student visa refusals and non-completion within the GDML programme. These factors collectively pointed to systemic vulnerabilities that necessitated decisive action to protect the integrity of Australia’s international education sector.

Hill further elaborated, stating, “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.” This strong condemnation underscores the government’s commitment to rectifying perceived past failings and ensuring that Australia remains a reputable destination for genuine international students.

Legislative Powers and Future Outlook

The Australian government’s ability to start using this course cancellation stems from integrity reforms passed in November 2025. These reforms included new legislation that grants the Minister the power to specify a course for automatic suspension and cancellation, a power now exercised for the first time with the GDML course. This legislative backing allows the government to act swiftly and decisively to address integrity issues within the international education system.

Assistant Minister Julian Hill affirmed the government’s ongoing commitment: “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.” He added, “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.” This indicates a continued vigilance and potential for further targeted actions if other courses or sectors are found to be similarly exploited.

Gdml Course Statistics

The scale of the GDML programme highlights the significant impact of this cancellation. As of the announcement, there were 41,033 active Confirmations of Enrolment (CoEs) associated with the GDML course. Out of this total, 15,772 students are recorded as presently studying the programme. The following table provides a breakdown of these key figures:

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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