fbpx
Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
20th Jul 2022

Survey shows Australia is “well poised to win back market share” as a top study destination

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • Navitas’ Agent Perception Survey indicates that Australia is once again a lead contender for international students – especially in South and Southeast Asia
  • Positive perceptions of Australia are almost as the same level as for Canada and the UK after falling steeply in 2021 due to prolonged border closures

More than 700 agents surveyed in May 2022 agree that international student interest in studying in Australia has bounced back significantly since the country’s borders re-opened in mid-December of 2021. Navitas’ rolling Agent Perception Survey also reveals that students now consider Australia to be virtually as safe and welcoming as Canada and the UK – a strong position to be in especially since Australia is already known for the quality of its educators and programmes and for post-graduation work rights.

Australia is once again competitive

Close to three-quarters of surveyed agents agreed that student interest had increased in the past two months compared to interest in other destinations – and more than half of agents who concurred with the statement “strongly agreed.” This is a massive change from sentiment in October 2021, when only 28% agreed that Australia was gaining ground against competitors. “Australia has substantially closed the gap with Canada and the UK on this measure,” says Navitas.

Students from South and Southeast Asia are particularly interested in studying in Australia. Fully 90% of agents in those regions said that student interest in Australia has picked up in the past two months.

Neil Fitzroy, General Manager, Global Recruitment UPA, Navitas, highlights some of the reasons that Australian educators are now poised to attract more international students:

“Australia’s mid-year intake has seen significant numbers of international students travel to Australia to commence or resume their studies. The excitement and energy on campuses across the country augurs well for further recovery and the recent agent research confirms this shift in sentiment. With >95% of the adult population fully vaccinated, COVID-safe protocols still in play and huge advances made in flexible delivery across the sector, Australia is well positioned to win back market share.”

Level of agreement with the statement, “Over the past two months there has been more interest in this country as an education destination compared to other countries.” As of May 2022, agents were almost as likely to agree that student interest has picked up for Australia as for Canada or the UK, a remarkable change from a similar survey in October 2021. Source: Navitas

Perceptions of safety go a long way

In the May 2022 survey, 8 in 10 agents said that students consider Australia to be “open and welcoming” and “safe and stable.” The chart below illustrates how different these perceptions are from what they were last year.

Comparing agent perceptions of Australia, Canada, and the UK in October 2021 vs. May 2022. Source: Navitas

“Cautious confidence”

Mr Fitzroy believes the May 2022 iteration of the company’s agent survey suggests that the Australian international education sector is rebounding, but he cautions that there is some way to go before it can truly be said to be in full recovery:

“These are green shoots, but there remains a long road ahead before we can put the last 24 months behind us, and students’ parents, sponsors and agents are hoping to see their plans come to fruition. There is cautious confidence amongst those in Australia, as well as those wishing to travel here, that we’re back in business.”

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • Recruiting international students in Cameroon Read More
  • Germany: Outbound language travel grew again in 2024 Read More
  • Enrolment surges in Spain’s language teaching sector Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Recruiting international students in Cameroon FAST FACTS Official name: Republic of Cameroon Geography: Cameroon is in Central Africa on the Gulf of Guinea....
Read more
Germany: Outbound language travel grew again in 2024 The 2024 annual report from the German Association of Language Travel Organizers (FDSV) reports continuing growth for the...
Read more
Enrolment surges in Spain’s language teaching sector Enrolment in Spanish language schools in Spain has now surged past pre-pandemic levels. The post-COVID recovery really took...
Read more
United States: Government enforcement action on schools, universities, and international students intensifies The Trump administration is intensifying its scrutiny of US higher education institutions and international students. As of April...
Read more
UK commission calls for a more strategic and sustainable approach to international student recruitment The United Kingdom’s most recent international education strategy was released in 2019. It set a target of attracting...
Read more
Ireland: Non-EU international students will be most affected by a new, increased threshold for available funds The Irish government has announced increases in the minimum funds requirements for foreign students. The changes will come...
Read more
SEVIS data reveals decline in international enrolments in the US in 2024/25 The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Fall 2024 Snapshot reported a 3% increase in foreign enrolments in US...
Read more
International student policy in the spotlight during Australian election Australia will hold its next federal election on 3 May 2025. The vote looks to be hotly contested,...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links