EDU Holdings Boosts Enrolments 32% in T2 2026 Led by Ikon Institute

Strong Growth at Ikon Institute Drives Overall Enrolment Surge

EDU Holdings Limited (ASX:EDU) reported a robust 32% increase in total student enrolments for Trimester 2 2026, reaching 7,036 students compared to 5,321 in the prior corresponding period. This growth was overwhelmingly driven by its higher education division, Ikon Institute, which accounted for 83% of total enrolments, up from 70% a year earlier. Ikon’s enrolments surged 57% to 5,847, reflecting resilient international demand, a near doubling of domestic student intake, and strong momentum in postgraduate programs.

Postgraduate and Domestic Student Growth Highlights Strategic Shift

New student enrolments (NSEs) increased 12% to 963, with Ikon representing 91% of this intake. Postgraduate NSEs jumped 174%, now making up 45% of the trimester’s new students, compared to just 20% in the prior year. Domestic new enrolments almost doubled, rising 98%, driven by new postgraduate course offerings and intensified sales and marketing efforts. Domestic students now represent 22% of the intake, up from 14%, signalling EDU’s progress in diversifying its student base beyond international cohorts.

Vocational Education and Training Faces Market Headwinds

In contrast, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) arm, Australian Learning Group (ALG), experienced a decline in enrolments amid broader market softness. Total ALG enrolments fell to 1,189 from 1,596, with new student enrolments halving to 83. This contraction reflects ongoing challenges in the international student market, including visa settings and increased regulatory scrutiny. Despite this, EDU maintains VET’s strategic value for student diversity and as a pathway into higher education, partially cushioning the impact of the VET segment’s softness.

Navigating Regulatory Changes in Onshore Student Transfers

The company is adapting to recent National Code amendments that remove commissions on transferring onshore students, a regulatory shift designed to improve integrity and transparency. While it is still early to fully assess the impact, EDU is encouraged by the initial uptake of its new onshore recruitment model aligned with government objectives. Management is actively monitoring these changes as part of its broader recruitment strategy, which includes investment across domestic, offshore, and onshore channels alongside course portfolio expansion.

Looking Ahead to Final 2026 Enrolment Figures

EDU plans to release final enrolment numbers for 2026 in October, covering Ikon’s Trimester 3 and ALG’s Terms 3 and 4. The company’s sustained focus on higher education growth and course diversification positions it well within Australia’s skills and migration priorities, even as it navigates regulatory headwinds and a contracting VET market.