Plans for international students are being impacted by Australia’s greater savings requirements and increasing visa fees. Find out how these modifications impact study options and the reasons that New Zealand is growing in popularity as a substitute.

Prospective international students are being impacted by the new financial requirements for Australian study visas, according to a recent survey. Many students from China, India, and other Asian and African nations said that Australia’s higher visa costs, greater financial requirements, and high visa refusal rates would cause them to reevaluate their study plans.

Survey Information

More than 1,400 international students participated in the June 2024 poll; among these, the majority were interested in postgraduate alternatives (60%) as opposed to undergraduate (28%), vocational, and route programs. With one-third of the responses being Indian students, the sending market is significantly weighted.

Knowledge of the New Savings Level

Most students who responded to the survey knew that in order to obtain an Australian study visa, applicants must now demonstrate savings of AUD$29,710 (US$19,537). Compared to other locations, including Canada, where the necessary funds are US$5,000 less, this amount is noticeably more. The highest percentage of people (90%) were aware of this need; the lowest percentages were in Ghana (45%) and Taiwan (40%).

Effects on Research Schedules

A little over half of the students said they would not reconsider their intention to study in Australia in light of the new savings criterion. Nearly half, nevertheless, said that it might influence their choice. The effect differed depending on the market. In Cambodia and the Philippines, for example, nearly 75% of students stated that the additional requirement will affect their choice. By comparison, just 27% of Chinese students and 15% of Taiwanese students stated that the savings requirement may cause them to reevaluate their plans.

Impact of Raising Visa Fees

The Australian government increased the visa application price to AUD$1,600 on July 1, 2024, a 125% increase from the prior AUD$710. Even though the survey was done before the fee increase was made public, a sizable percentage of students said they might change their plans because of the possible fee rise. In reaction to increased costs, about 63% of respondents stated they “would” or “might” alter their study plans.

Students from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam, who are significant sending markets for Australian universities, expressed this opinion quite strongly. A little over 40% of students from Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal, and Kenya stated that higher visa costs would affect their academic plans.

An Alluring Alternative: New Zealand

Many prospective students are finding New Zealand to be a more appealing study location in light of the financial developments in Australia. Important considerations include the lower savings requirements (AUD$10,000 less than Australia) and the relative price of New Zealand visas. These variables affect more than 40% of pupils in Pakistan and the Philippines and more than 70% of students in Ghana and Egypt.

Many students are also drawn to New Zealand’s increased Green List of priority skills, which makes it easier to get work visas after completing their studies. A third of students said that the Green List would affect their degree program or travel destination; the percentages were higher in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Benefits Increasing in New Zealand

Additionally, New Zealand has implemented policies that increase its appeal to overseas students. Couples studying bachelor’s degrees or above who are affiliated to the Green List can now apply for work visas with flexible terms. Furthermore, these students’ children are exempt from paying international student tuition. These adjustments should make New Zealand even more alluring.

Adaptability in the Face of Visa Denials

Even with the administrative and financial obstacles, a lot of students are nevertheless determined to study overseas. Although one in six poll participants had, on average, had their study visa application denied, more than seventy percent of aspiring students still want to apply for an Australian visa. Few said that if their visa was denied, they would instead decide to continue their education in their native nation.

International students’ decisions are being influenced by recent financial developments in Australia, such as higher savings thresholds and increased immigration fees. Even while Australia is still a popular country for students to study in, other nations, like New Zealand, are becoming more alluring because of their supporting policies and better financial situations. To effectively attract and support international students, institutions and stakeholders need to keep an eye on these developments and adjust their tactics accordingly.