When the new Australian academic year  begins, thousands of international students will arrive carrying more than suitcases. They bring expectations of fairness of safety and of an education that is worth the distance travelled. Behind the scenes, however, Australia has been quietly rewriting the rules that shape that exact experience. On 5 December 2025, a significant shift took effect. The Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2025 became law, r