Can anti-immigration protests and international students cohabit?

Student accommodations in Melbourne’s CBD worry about the security of the international students they host, after witnessing anti-immigration protests on August 31, 2025. 

The ‘March for Australia’ demonstrations gathered thousands of people advocating for an end to mass migration in Melbourne’s CBD last month, who walked by buildings housing hundreds of international students during their protest.

Iglu Melbourne City general manager Joshua Ng said the protest caused great concern within Melbourne’s student communities, since international students fit the protest’s target audience.

“So it did cause quite a bit of a scare, and so [...] what we thought we could do is to remind residents to be careful when they walk out on the streets on Sunday,” Ng said.

"Well, I think the immediate effect that this whole protest was spread across the world through the news, is a sign to say that Melbourne doesn’t welcome migrants, or that Melbourne doesn’t welcome international students anymore.”

In the Australian Government’s most recent report on international students, the Department of Education said the international commencement numbers in the Melbourne inner city have declined in 2025.

The Mid-Year International Education Policy Update from the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) said the enrolment limits introduced for international students diminished their number in 2025, and will continue to do so.  

Study Melbourne’s data show international education keeps being Victoria’s largest services export, despite 14 per cent less offshore primary student visas lodged in 2025. 

The 2025 Lowy Institute Poll report said temporary students constitute the largest group of migrant arrivals to Australia, with 42 per cent of Australians thinking the number is too high.

RMIT University international student Dulaj Wijewardena said he still feels safe in Melbourne, but has perceived a change in the city’s atmosphere, which makes him feel “uneasy” now. 

“We feel like we deserve to be here, and then they don’t want us to be here, and that doesn’t make you feel good, you know?” Wijewardena said.

March for Australia is planning on marching against mass migration again on October 19, 2025.