02 February 2009

Australian international student programme still successful

Australia is still drawing large numbers of international students to study in the country, reports The Australian.

The university sector has been closely following the demand for students on an Australian student visa, amid concerns that the global financial slowdown would affect numbers, yet the biggest provider of international students in Australia says the figures have been positive.

"We are watching it but at the moment we aren’t seeing any impact of the global financial crisis," said Rod Jones, chief executive of Navitas.

According to their figures, the demand for international students has been up 15-20 per cent for the March semester, and they predict the July semester would see a 10-20 per cent increase.

 Jones also suggested the increased demand may reflect the changes made to the Australian immigration system that mean that Chinese students do not have to enrol as early as previously required.

"There doesn’t seem to be any slowdown in enquiry for international education, and for most countries that is translating into applications and enrolments,”"he added.

Jones said the only country putting forward fewer Australian visa application for study is South Korea.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with emigrating to Australia.