Study in Australia: International student numbers drop

Australian immigration sees fall in overseas student intake.

By Ian Armitage

It is often said that Australia is one of the best places to live and study; if you want a quality education and a good lifestyle, it’s the place to be.

Unfortunately, someone forgot to tell students.

Recent figures show enrolments in educational institutions by international student visa holders have fallen by 2.5 percent on figures released in February 2010.

The greatest drop was in vocational courses such as cooking and hairdressing, which suffered a 21.5 percent fall in enrolment numbers.

Institutions are concerned that the rising dollar, combined with high living costs, could prolong the slump into 2012.

Simon Marginson, at the Centre for the Study of High Education at Melbourne University, said: "[Because of the cost of living and housing] you would find there would be places in Australia that are more expensive than the U.S.”.

He went on to say that the federal government Australia visa changes last year were also a problem and would result in students looking elsewhere to study.

Meanwhile, Glenn Withers of Universities Australia said: “All indications suggest a significant downturn in student commencements for 2011 and for the immediate future.”

While the costs of studying in Aus are rising, you need to look at the bigger picture and remember this simple fact: it is getting more and more expensive to further your education here at home. Universities in England will be able to charge tuition fees of up to £9,000 per year from 2012, as the government transfers much of the cost of courses from the state to students. Fees will rise to £6,000, with an upper tier of £9,000 if universities ensure access for poorer students.

It is forcing students to look abroad.

Almost 3,000 people from the UK have chosen to go back to college or university in Australia the last year. More than half of the new students were mature students enrolling in postgraduate courses at universities or trade training programmes in the vocational education sector.

Qualifying as a teacher or nurse are two of the more popular choices.

The Australia nursing qualification is a two-year course. It is a qualification that is recognised in the UK.

As far as teaching is concerned, many students end up getting positions in Australian schools on completion of their course. The Graduate Diploma is similar to the UK’s PGCE and runs for one year, combining theory and teaching placements.

Nursing and teaching aren’t the only fields where there are opportunities - there are plenty of others (especially if you broaden the search to New Zealand, something we’ll talk about in future issues).

“Australia needs certain skills,” a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman told me. “There is still a critical need for skills across a range of Australian industries.”

VISA RULES

In order to go to Australia to study you will need a student visa. There are no age restrictions. You just need an offer of study from a recognised education provider (such as a university or college).

On a student visa you will have an opportunity to live and study in Australia for the length of the course.

As a student you will be able to work for 20 hours a week during the course and full-time during holiday periods. Your partner, if you have one, will be able to work part-time for the duration.

The rules are subject to change and for more information visit The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (www.immi.gov.au).

-ENDS-

BOX OUT

Study Options is a free, independent, expert service for people looking to study in Australia and New Zealand. It is the representative of Australian and New Zealand universities and colleges in the UK and Ireland, and can help with your application process.

Web: www.studyoptions.com

BOXOUT 2

Temporary Visa (Subclass 573)

This visa is designed for international students applying to study in Australia and whose main course of study is one of the following:

• Bachelor degree
• Associate degree
• Graduate certificate
• Graduate diploma
• Masters by coursework
• Higher Education diploma
• Higher Education advanced diploma.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you want to do one of the following:

• Apply for your first student visa
• Renew your student visa
• Apply to join a family member who is in Australia on a student visa.

What does the visa let me do?

With this visa:

• You can study in Australia
• Eligible dependant family members can accompany you to Australia
• When you have commenced your course of study in Australia, you can work up to 20 hours per week while your course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
• Your family members can work up to 20 hours per week provided you have commenced your course of study in Australia. If you are doing a postgraduate course, such as a Masters degree, your family members can work unlimited hours once you commence this course.
• Your partner can study in Australia for up to three months.

- From Australia & New Zealand Outlook Issue 7.