Why are the number of Indian and foreign students not going to study in this country of the world, has also decreased? These are 5 troubling reasons

Study in Australia: Australia, which is ranked among the top countries in the world for studies, is gradually losing its shine. Every year lakhs of students from all over the world used to go to Australia to study, but now the environment is changing and due to which students from many countries including Indians are becoming disillusioned with this country. They are now going to other countries instead of Australia. Recently, a data regarding international students was released by the Australian government, in which their decreasing number was clearly visible.
In fact, according to government data, Australia recorded a 38% decline in student visas between October 2023 and August 2024. Around 2,98,000 visas were issued to foreign students during this period. Students from Philippines, Colombia and India have been most affected as their numbers have seen a huge decline. This figure shows that students coming to study in Australia are facing challenges, due to which they are now moving to other countries.

In which country how many students decreased?

According to government data, there has been a 67 percent decline in student visas issued to Filipino students. There has been a 62 percent decline in student visas given to Columbia students. After this comes India, where there has been a 56 percent decline in the number of student visas given to its students. Vietnamese students have faced a 28 percent decline in the issuance of student visas.

Which courses were affected by the reduction in visas?

Vocational education and training sector in Australia is mostly studied by students from these countries, due to which more impact has been seen on them. There has been a 57 percent decline in the number of student visas issued in the vocational education and training sector. Similarly, a decline of 50 percent has been seen in ‘English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students’ (ELICOS). There has also been a decline of 25 percent in Higher Education Visa, i.e. visas available for university studies.

What were the reasons for the decrease in students?

• Application Fees: Student visa (subclass 500) application fees were doubled in Australia from July 1, 2024. Earlier it was 710 Australian dollars, which has now become 1600 dollars.
• English language test score increase: To study in Australia, one has to give an English language test. Starting in 2024, student visas are also available with a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, but this has now been increased to 5.5.
• Increase in Saving Amount: From May 10, 2024, students coming to study in the country will have to show more savings. Now visa is available if there is 29,710 Australian dollars, whereas earlier visa was available if there was 24,505 dollars in the account.
• Problems with post-study work visa: Australia has reduced the period of stay under the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). This has especially affected the students doing Bachelors-Masters, who can now stay only for two years after studies.
• Rule of ‘Genwin Student’: The new ‘Genwin Student’ (GS) requirement on March 23, 2024 replaced the previous ‘Genwin Temporary Entrant’ (GTE) rule. Now before granting student visa, the applicant’s study history, future plans and purpose of study are being known. Earlier, visa was available only on the basis of studies.