Why the huge numbers of international students being put ahead...

Why the huge numbers of international students being put ahead of our young rental generation?

As far as I can recall no Australian Federal Government apart from when we had a Covid response has directly controlled the net migration figures by establishing target quotas.
They do however control the permanent migration numbers.
It's probably got to the stage where citizens expect direct controls over the number of temporary visitor visas that are allocated that have associated work rights.
That is backpacker types and international students.
So far the Government has attempted to tweak the rules so that more international students are rejected.
It's the associated work rights that make Australia an attractive destination for students and backpackers.
Farmers and restaurants like them as employees.
Some of them do the work that Aussie kids reject.