Australian Universities Admission: Gaokao Scores Drive Record Chinese Enrolments

Australian universities now see a significant surge in Chinese mainland students who use gaokao scores for direct undergraduate admission. Recent data shows that the share of students choosing this pathway jumped from 61.7 per cent in 2023 to 73.7 per cent in 2025. Consequently, seven of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities now accept these scores to offer international applicants a more streamlined route.

Mainstream Admission Pathways

A recent study report from EIC Education indicates that the gaokao has officially become the mainstream pathway for undergraduate entry into Australian institutions. Although this route grows in popularity, students still gain entry through foundation programmes or first-year diplomas. Furthermore, these alternative options ensure that a diverse range of students can access the Australian higher education system with ease.

In addition to these pathways, general business remains the most sought-after major among undergraduate applicants, as it accounts for 19.57 per cent of applications. Computer science follows closely at 8.91 per cent. Because many Australian degrees allow students to pursue one major alongside multiple minors, students can easily foster the cross-disciplinary skills that the global labour market highly values today.

Enrolment Trends and Quotas

Australia recently established its international student enrolment quota for 2026 at 295,000 places. This figure represents an increase of 25,000 places, or 9 per cent, compared to 2025. Specifically, the government allocated nearly 200,000 of these places for higher education. As a result, this expansion underscores Australia’s firm commitment to remaining a leading global destination for international studies.

Category	Data Point
2026 Total Quota	295,000 Places
Higher Education Allocation	~200,000 Places
Chinese Student Enrolments (2025)	195,535
Most Popular Major	General Business (19.57%)

Chinese mainland students continue to lead as the largest demographic within the international student body. Indeed, data from the Australian Department of Education confirms that 195,535 Chinese students enrolled throughout 2025. This represents 23.1 per cent of the total international cohort and reflects a year-on-year increase of 3.4 per cent. Moreover, higher education programmes make up 74 per cent of these enrolments.

Tuition Fees and Academic Flexibility

Tuition fees at Australian universities vary significantly based on institution ranking and the specific discipline. For undergraduate studies at Group of Eight universities, annual fees typically range from 200,000 to 290,000 yuan ($29,000–$43,000). Meanwhile, other universities generally charge between 160,000 and 250,000 yuan. Notably, business and engineering programmes often command higher fees than humanities courses.

The report also highlights a growing trend in major-switching, as over 72 per cent of applicants consider a change in their field of study. Primarily, 85.7 per cent of respondents cite improved job prospects as the top motivation for this shift. Furthermore, many Australian master’s programmes in business and IT now accept applicants without relevant backgrounds to facilitate cross-disciplinary career transitions.

Enhanced Accessibility and Visa Policy

Admission requirements have recently become more accessible for certain postgraduate applicants. For instance, the Australian National University lowered its average score requirement for graduates from non-“211” Chinese universities from 85 to 80 for most coursework master’s programmes. Additionally, the widespread acceptance of the IELTS One Skill Retake provides students with much greater flexibility.

Therefore, experts advise prospective students to focus on fields with high local labour demand, such as health, education, and engineering. Current visa policies prioritise applicants who demonstrate genuine study intentions and clear career plans. Consequently, thorough preparation of visa documentation remains essential for a successful application process.

Source: China Daily Official Site

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