International students across Australia are reporting acute anxiety as they struggle to adapt to sudden visa policy changes introduced by the Labor government. Designed to crack down on 'visa hopping' and address what officials term 'permanently temporary' migration, the new rules have altered the calculus for thousands of individuals currently enrolled in local institutions. Students note that the swift implementation leaves little time to adjust long-term educational and career plans, forcing many to reevaluate their futures in the country. While the government maintains that these measures are essential to restore integrity to the national migration framework, educators and student advocates warn of unintended consequences for the country's competitive standing as a premier global study destination.