The Australian International Education Industry - Roadmap for Sustainable Growth

The Australian international education industry suffered severely during the pandemic and now Industry needs support from Australian policy makers. Canada, USA, and the UK made aggressive moves even during the pandemic and captured the majority share of the international education market.

Australia has unique strengths including high ranked and innovative universities, favourable weather, Proximity to Asia and required skill migrants. It's high time for Australia to bounce back.

The attractiveness of different study destinations among Indian students

In my opinion, the number of new students attracted by the study destinations is the most significant parameter to judge the current attractiveness of study destinations. Hence, I always prefer to focus on the student visa grant number of Indian students.

Which factors attract the growth of Indian students across all study destinations

• Most generous PSW benefits and Pathway to Permanent Residency for students are the important factors attracting Indian students to Canada.
• Approximately 45,000 to 50,000 Indian students are enrolling at Canadian universities each year.
• USA returns strongly by just sending positive signals and lowering the bar of student visas unofficially in the Indian market.
• You can see a constant rise in the numbers of the UK from 2019 to 2021. The UK's new PSW has attracted record numbers of Indian students.
• Australia has a visible significant drop in numbers and market share as the Australian government closed borders to protect Australians from the Pandemic.

How Australia Can attract best and bright student

Without any changes also, Australia can attract more international students and can achieve the number target. However, offering more benefits to the students will be helpful to attract the bright and best students.

ROI, Investment required (Tuition fees and living cost), and Entry criteria are the most important parameters to decide the quality and quantity of students. Most of the Indian students consider employment outcomes, more generous post-study work visas, high chances of Permanent residency, and a welcoming environment are important factors.

Retaining High quality trained students through additional points for skilled migration

High-quality students with high-quality Australian education and decent financial backgrounds are an asset for Australia. Attracting the best students will help increase the skilled employment outcome as well.