Updated on July 27th, 2023

In recent times, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of Indian students heading to Australia for higher education, making it a preferred international study destination. The surge in interest can be attributed to various factors, including scholarships, extended post-study work rights, and mutual recognition of academic qualifications between the two countries. In 2023, the number of Indian students planning to study in Australia is expected to surpass the record set in 2019, the year with the highest number of Indian students ever studying in the country.

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Indian students along with others, such as the USA, UK, and Canada, and a few in Schengen Europe. High-quality education, with tremendous facilities across most institutions, is affordable, and a very luring post-study work permit offering, makes it a very popular choice. Australian education excels in all fields of study, be it Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health, Life Sciences, Engineering & Technology, or Physical Sciences.

Lucrative Post-Study Work Option in Australia

Post-study work option under subclass 485 is one of the lucrative reasons ‌students choose Australia as a study destination. Students are eligible to apply for this visa immediately after the completion of their studies. This visa category applies to bachelor’s, master’s (coursework & research), and doctoral students. Under this, students can work in any field or job and have multiple entry rights to and from Australia. It offers the most flexibility to work in the country upon graduation. The duration of this visa varies according to the location of the studies.

The recent introduction of a longer post-study work visa in Australia has significantly enhanced its appeal to Indian students. This provision allows students to gain practical work experience after completing their studies, making them more employable and increasing their chances of contributing to their home country’s development with newfound skills. Additionally, the mutual recognition of academic qualifications between Australia and India assures students that their degrees are valued for further education or employment opportunities in both countries.

Preference for Business and STEM Studies:

Among the various fields of study, business courses have emerged as a popular choice among Indian students in 2023. Many are opting for business analytics, bachelor of business, and MBA programs, driven by a desire for work opportunities and entrepreneurial aspirations. Nevertheless, STEM courses, including computer sciences, core engineering subjects, IT, software engineering, and data science, remain in high demand due to their promising career prospects. Furthermore, there is a noticeable trend in students exploring health sciences, with graduate and post-graduate courses in health, public health, and psychology gaining popularity.

The rise in visa applications and the number of visa grants

The number of student visa applications and visa grants dropped significantly during the COVID period and is now recovering day by day. India remains the major shareholder of visa grants during the period 22 November 2021 through 22 May 2022. Australian Student visa application lodgments also surged back during this period. Indian applicants have returned to 64% of pre-pandemic volumes (57,635 year-to-date for 2021/22 as opposed to 89,868 in 2018/19).

Visas grants are also showing recovery during the first half of 2022. Starting from a high point of 405,742 in 2018/19, visa grants dipped to 232,750 in 2020/21, and have now reached 56% of pre-pandemic levels, with 228,150 visas granted year-to-date in 2021/22.

As of 19 June 2022, there were 469,306 Australian student visa holders globally. Roughly three-quarters of that total (354,475 students) were in Australia, with the balance (114,831) currently based outside of the country. Those students outside of Australia are eligible to travel if fully vaccinated.

Overall, the number of active visa holders (both within and outside of Australia) has returned to roughly 80% of pre-pandemic levels as of May 2022

Australia is still a popular study destination in 2023

With a perfect blend of academic excellence, extended post-study work rights, and mutual recognition of qualifications, Australia has become an increasingly attractive study destination for Indian students in 2023. The surge in numbers highlights the enduring friendship between Australia and India, fostering educational opportunities and cultural exchange. As these students return to their home country equipped with valuable skills and experiences, the benefits of international education between the two nations will undoubtedly continue to flourish.

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