STUDENT AND STUDENT GUARDIAN VISA PROCESSING PRIORITIES

A new Ministerial Direction for prioritising student and student guardian visa applications was signed on 14 December 2023. Ministerial Direction No. 107 formalises the Australian Government’s processing priorities for the student and student guardian visa programs. It builds on ongoing work to strengthen the integrity of the international education sector. An evidence level is allocated to each Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)-registered education

NEW STUDENT VISA PROCESSING PRIORITIES AND HIGHER REFUSAL RATES FOR AUSTRALIAN VISA APPLICANTS

The Minister has determined the order of priority for considering and disposing of Student Guardian visa applications and offshore Subclass 500 (Student) visa applications in response to the high levels of demand for Subclass 500 (Student) visas.   These applications will be processed in the following order, as described below: Offshore Student visa applications when the primary applicant: is a school student, Foreign Affairs student or Defence student; intends to undertake

STAY AHEAD WITH RTO AND ESOS CHECKLISTS: KEY DATES AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

Navigating the complexities of compliance with the Registered Training Organisations (RTO) standards and the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework can be challenging. However, with the right tools and information, it becomes manageable. We have provided links to the published checklists for your reference.   ASQA checklists are designed to help you identify crucial dates and ensure you stay on top of your reporting obligations. They serve as an essential guide to remaining

HOW TO PREVENT AUSTRALIAN STUDENT VISA REJECTION

As a part of our educational series, we have prepared a short guide on how to prevent rejection of an application for Australian student visas. In our previous article on  the most common Australian student visa rejection reasons, we discussed how to avoid them. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help avoid Australian student visa rejection. First, applicants must make sure that all of the information they provide is accurate and that their documents are legitimate. The applicant

WILL AUSTRALIA FOLLOW CANADA’S CAP ON STUDENT VISAS?

Canada's recent decision to impose a cap on international students has sent ripples through the global higher education sector. In December 2023, at the International Education Symposium SYMPLED2023, the Hon Julian Hill MP discussed the possibility of Australia implementing similar measures, sparking debate and concern among education leaders.   The Canadian government, under Immigration Minister Marc Miller, announced a two-year cap on new international students early on Monday morning,

SCALE YOUR OPERATIONS USING EDUCLI’S TASKS AND COMPLIANCE TOOLS

As companies grow rapidly, they often struggle to maintain compliance with regulations and standards at the same pace. This is especially true for fast-growing companies that experience exponential growth in a short period of time, which is quite usual for education providers in the international education space.   In this article, we will explore the challenges of maintaining compliance while scaling your organisation and provide some strategies for achieving compliance while still growing

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR ATTRACTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Using social media to reach out to prospective students is just the next logical step in the process of building relationships. It is truly remarkable to see how far digital technology and social media have come. Ideas, news, and conversations can travel far and wide thanks to the power of digital technology and the ease of sharing via social media. Businesses can take advantage of immediacy to spread their message fast, cheaply, and efficiently.   If you want to reach your target audience

MOST COMMON REJECTION REASONS FOR AUSTRALIAN STUDENT VISA APPLICATIONS

The rejection rate for the Australian student visa is over 50%, which means that fewer than fifty percent of applicants from certain countries are granted their visas. This rate varies depending on the country of origin a student comes from. In the Philippines, India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Thailand, the rejection rate ranges from 80 to 90 percent, while in South America, it ranges from 30 to 40 percent, and in European countries, it is below 10 percent.   We have compiled a

EDUCATION AGENTS IN AUSTRALIA: WHAT IS THEIR FUTURE?

The Integral Role of Education Agents Agents in the education sector have long been pivotal in Australia's international education system, acting as the principal link between schools and prospective students. Agents of education play a significant role in shaping the public perception and experience of individuals who are looking for educational opportunities in a foreign country. The fact that their activities have a direct impact on the accomplishments of educational organizations exemplifies

RECENT TRENDS IN STUDENT VISA APPROVALS AND DENIALS BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

Recent observations indicate a shift in the approach of the Immigration Department towards processing both offshore and onshore student visa applications. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of visa refusals, often without prior warnings or requests for additional information. For instance, one case highlights the department's reasoning regarding family ties: An applicant with their child and partner residing in Brazil was informed that while their family's presence in Brazil

WE NEED TO KEEP THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COMING

The possible drop in the number of international students is a major concern with far-reaching effects due to the uncertainty surrounding the future intake of these students.   International students' tuition fees are crucial to the financial stability of universities in nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These students are a substantial part of the academic community, with their numbers reaching over a million in the USA alone. However, this reliance

DEMAND FOR STUDY ABROAD IS SET TO ‘EXCEED’ PRE-PANDEMIC LEVEL

The latest ICEF Agent Voice survey compared perspectives of over 400 student recruitment agencies from 81 countries and was launched at ICEF Berlin last month. Despite the many setbacks that the international education sector has experienced recently, recent trends show that exchange programs are on the upswing again. A notable surge in interest for online course recruitment and optimistic projections for 2023 further emphasize this recovery. An overwhelming majority of educational agents (73%)

24/7 RECRUITMENT: MAXIMIZING YOUR OUTREACH WITH MULTI-CHANNEL MARKETING

There is a common sentiment among those involved in the ever-changing field of student recruitment: the process is becoming more difficult, not less. The recruitment landscape has become more competitive as student mobility patterns change around the world and more schools compete for international students. The current challenge is to keep your school at the forefront of prospective students' minds as they weigh their options. However, this does not mean spreading thin; rather, it calls for strategic,

OPINION: THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT'S OWNERSHIP BAN BY EDUCATION AGENTS - A HASTY MOVE WITH INDUSTRY IMPLICATIONS

The Australian government's recent announcement, barring education agents from holding ownership stakes in Australian education providers, has raised eyebrows within the education sector. While it may appear to be a well-intentioned measure to enhance transparency, integrity, and fairness in the education system, it raises pertinent questions about its practicality and impact.   The government's rationale behind this policy shift is clear: to protect the interests of international students

AUSTRALIA EXPANDS REGULATORY OVERSIGHT OF EDUCATION AGENTS AND ANNOUNCES NEW INTEGRITY MEASURES FOR VET

  Australia's government has announced a new set of measures to protect its student visa program from abuse and fraud. Commissions paid to agents who facilitate student transfers between providers in Australia have been banned. Education agents will also be barred from holding an ownership stake in an Australian education provider The government is taking steps to strengthen monitoring of the system with a particular focus on identified risk indicators, including student attendance

SKILL ASSESSMENT REQUIRED FOR 485 GRADUATE STREAM VISA AFTER 30 JUNE 2023

To be eligible for a 485 Graduate Work Stream Visa after completing your studies in Australia after 01 July 2023, international students with a qualification below a degree must also provide (have applied for) a skills assessment and nominated an occupation from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)).  Why is this changing? The Department of Home Affairs has suspended the normal requirements for this visa from 01 July 2022 until 30 June 2023 in light of Australia's skill

THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT SPENDS EXTRA $37.8 MILLION ON HAUNTING ‘DODGY’ TRAINING PROVIDERS IN AUSTRALIA

A new tip-off line will be set up for people to dob in “dodgy” training providers exploiting international students studying in Australia. The nation’s Vocational Education and Training regulator will get a $37.8 million boost under a federal government crackdown on unethical and illegal behaviour. An integrity unit will be established within the Australian Skills Quality Authority and will be equipped with the latest technology and data-matching capability to find and stop providers

OPINION - AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT'S "COMPLIANCE BLITZ” ON INTERNATIONAL SECTOR - WASTE OF MONEY OR ACTUAL IMPROVEMENT?

The Australian government's announcement of a $37.8 million "compliance blitz" in the vocational education and training (VET) sector seems like a well-intentioned move, but we can't help but doubt whether these proposed changes will truly make a significant difference. The establishment of an integrity unit within the regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), along with a confidential tipoff line and updated digital systems, may appear promising on the surface. Still, it's hard to

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ ACCOMMODATION - CRISIS OR NOT?

When prospective international students had their sights set on Australia's sunny shores in the past, obtaining a visa was their top priority. The concern now for a growing number is where they will live when they arrive. Rentals are hard to come by, and those that are reasonably priced are almost nonexistent. According to recent reports, rental availability is close to zero, according to Anglicare’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot. What chance do non-locals have if they can't find housing?

LEVERAGING THE POWER OF AUTOMATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

We founded Educli on the fundamental idea that computers ought to take on more responsibility, and this conviction has only deepened since the advent of AI. As a college manager, I often found myself wondering, "How can I get everyone, even with no education or experience from the industry, to ensure that all of the tasks are done on time?" Since we first began developing Educli, this situation has evolved. Over the past few years, we've invested a great deal of time and energy into developing

GET YOUR TECH RIGHT BEFORE INVESTING IN AI

No technology has advanced from a novel idea to practical application more quickly than AI. The introduction of ChatGPT earlier this year raised existential concerns about scholarly integrity and the value of many college assignments. Now that many AI products incorporate images, videos, and text, their already powerful features are strengthened. Edtech products are also following this trend.   While adding value (and novelty) to classrooms, these tools also raise a new set of problems that

TECH TRENDS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The potential benefits of the latest generation of digital technologies for higher education are substantial, and their applications are as diverse as the technologies themselves. Training is being streamlined, made more accessible, and student-teacher connections strengthened with the help of virtual reality, blockchain, and chatbots.   Several developments in information and communications technology are influencing the direction of higher education. Here are a few: One of the most

ASQA COMPLIANCE UPDATE MAY 2023

ASQA Annual Declaration of Compliance is due on 17 May 2023 The ASQA Annual Declaration of Compliance submission due for all RTOs is by 17 May 2023. This process is a formal declaration to both your organisation and to ASQA that you are confident you have the systems and processes in place to assure the quality of your outcomes for students and industry.  ASQA encourages providers to take this opportunity to thoroughly assess their operations against the Standards and registration requirements

AUSTRALIA'S BIGGEST IMMIGRATION SHAKEUP IN DECADES

The migration review was released by Home Affairs Minister Claire O'Neill on 27 April 2023. This review has at least 38 major recommendations. As the Home affairs minister Claire O'Neill said: “we need to make a big switch in our thinking from the passivity that drives the system today to active engagement with the people we think can help build our country's future we and under this proposal we would go out into the world and find the migrants that Australia needs and talk to them about joining

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR AGENTS - PROVIDER AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT VIA AGENCIES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITH OUR AGENTS TRACKING COMPONENTS.

  Education agents are the blood of international education. They might not be the ones making the decisions or pulling the strings, but they are unquestionably the ones interacting with the potential students and acting as the public face of the business. Their performance may directly impact the customer experience in determining your organization’s success. The education providers are legally required to monitor the performance of education agents to ensure that the prospective international

AUTOMATION THAT BETTERS YOUR ORGANISATION

Automation that betters your organisation   Every organisation approaches process automation from a different perspective. Some want to improve productivity, many want to cut costs, while others wish to improve employee well-being.   Automation can greatly benefit organisations by increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and lowering costs. Automation can also free up employees to focus on more important tasks and improve overall productivity. Examples of automation provided

COVID TESTING WHEN TRAVELLING TO AUSTRALIA - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DEPARTURE DATE AND TIME

If you are planning to travel to Australia, you must meet the requirements listed below. It is important to know, that you must count the time of your COVID testing backwards from the departure date of the international flight to Australia. Example, if you booked multiple flights, only the last international flight to Australia is considered for the testing periods as listed below. All inbound travellers must declare their vaccination status to enter Australia. Please see the proof of vaccination

VISA CHARGES TO BE WAIVED FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND WORKING HOLIDAY MAKERS

International students and working holiday makers who arrive in Australia from today will have their visa application fees rebated to encourage more to enter the country. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the changes on Wednesday to help the nation ease workforce shortages caused by the spread of the Omicron variant. “What we'll be doing is we will be rebating the visa application fees from all those who arrive today,” he told reporters in Canberra. Mr Morrison said foreign students

FOREIGN STUDENTS ALLOWED EXTRA HOURS TO EASE WORKER SHORTAGE

Up to 400,000 foreign students will be able to work extra hours under a temporary relaxation of visa rules to ease crippling labour shortages, amplified by the isolation of thousands of workers in response to COVID-19. As the omicron wave disrupts commerce, fuel stations warned motorists could suffer a repeat of UK petrol shortages, unless rules on virus-related isolation and foreign student visa holders were loosened to alleviate staff absentee rates of up to 40 per cent. Foreign students

AUSTRALIAN VISA PROCESSING UPDATE

Due to Australian border reopening to eligible temporary visa holders from 1 December 2021, the Department of Home Affairs is expecting an increase in visa applications. We encourage your agents and students to provide the Department of Home Affairs with complete Student visa applications. To check the requirements, students can use the Document Checklist Tool. A complete application will enable quicker processing and reduce backlogs, particularly during peak processing periods. Incomplete

AUSTRALIA: AN OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RETURN PLANS

Most Australian states and territories have now announced student return pilots or broader plans to welcome back international students Quarantine and testing requirements vary from state to state, as does the expected timing and pace of student returns The Australian government has expanded its list of approved COVID vaccines in recent months. As of 17 November, the vaccines approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are: Comirnaty (Pfizer) Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)

BREAKING NEWS! AUSTRALIAN BORDERS REOPENING SOON TO MIGRANTS AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

CAN AUSTRALIA ADOPT A CANADA MODEL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

In a recent agent survey, Canada was voted the most attractive study destination. Its appeal continues to grow, boosted by a strong government policy response to COVID-19. Despite the pandemic, international students can enter Canada, provided they meet certain criteria. The situation is vastly different in Australia, where students still cannot return, sparking frustration. The country has announced pilot plans to facilitate students’ return, but many remain skeptical as past pilot plans have

TAX CLAIM IN AUSTRALIA

When working in Australia you must pay tax to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The tax is taken directly from your paycheck each pay. The Australian tax system is sometimes difficult to understand and filing your tax declaration raises some questions especially with the recent changes in law. In order to be clear as possible and find any special tips, read this infographic with accurate information on taxes when working in Australia:

HOW TO GET A TAX FILE NUMBER (TFN) IN AUSTRALIA

Are you coming to Australia to study and work? In order to work you will have to get your Tax File Number (TFN) in Australia. Read this infographic on how to get it easily online step by step!

CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE ALL OF THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN AUSTRALIA ARE FROM?

Australia is no stranger to hosting overseas students. In fact, in 2018, Australia was the education destination of choice for almost 870,000 students from around the world. In the world rankings, Australia is in third place for study abroad destinations, having made over $AUD 5-million from foreign students alone. Today, we’re taking a look at the Australian education system, student exchange programs, and education rates in Australia. We’ll also answer questions such as, how many international

WHICH IS THE BEST AUSTRALIAN CITY FOR YOU?

Australia is so wonderful it is hard to choose which city to venture into, right? The choice of city is one of the most important points in planning an exchange. After all, once you have decided which country this dream will come true, it is time to find out which city has the most to do with your profile. That's why Educli has created this infographic to show you all the information and features of the top destinations in the country to help you choose the best city in Australia to travel abroad!

WORKING HOLIDAY VISA IN AUSTRALIA

For young adults that are visitors holding passports from Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, the USA and Vietnam. This visa lets people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) have an extended holiday in Australia and work here to help fund their trip. If that sounds like you, check more information about Working Holiday Visa!

TOURIST VISA IN AUSTRALIA

Whether you are visiting Australia for less than 72 hours or planning on a stay of several months you must have a valid Australian visa. A visa is a form of permission for a non-citizen to enter, transit or remain in a particular country. This visa stream lets you visit Australia as a tourist, to go on a cruise or to see family and friends. Check everything you need to know about this visa:

MASTERS DEGREE IN AUSTRALIA - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS REPRESENT HALF OF ENROLMENTS

International students at Australian universities make up nearly half of all master's enrolments and one-third of doctoral candidates, making the country's higher-degree programs disproportionately dependent on the foreign market. International students make up 21% of all tertiary enrolments in Australia, compared to an average of 6 per cent in other countries, according to the OECD's latest annual report comparing educational outcomes around the world. Foreign students make up 14% of all enrolments

AUSTRALIA’S POST GRADUATE VISA ATTRACTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, BUT MANY CAN’T FIND WORK IN THEIR FIELD

Australia’s post graduate visa attracts international students, but many can’t find work in their field. The top five citizenship countries of 485 visa holders in Australia (India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam) have also been the top five source countries of international enrolments in Masters by coursework (China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam) programs since 2013. However Up to 56% of current visa holders either worked outside their field of study (35%) or were unemployed (21%), which

WHAT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS THINK ABOUT THEIR AUSTRALIAN STUDY EXPERIENCE?

The recently released Student Experience Survey, which provides comprehensive overview of students experience at Australian universities and other education providers, is exclusively for Onshore students , however divides it’s result per country of origin and tell us more about how different groups are evaluating their university experience. Not only does it give an overall picture of how positively international students are rating their studies in the land Down Under, it also highlights strengths

AUSTRALIA - UPDATED COST OF LIVING IN DIFFERENT CITIES

If you are planning to study or live in Australia is good to know that living costs can be very different from one city to another. For example if you rent in Sydney, you’ll be paying an average of $3,671 per month to live comfortably. If you compare to a person renting in Hobart you will be paying $1,307 more per month as the average rent there is $2,364. Have a look on the table below: [caption id="attachment_12714" align="aligncenter" width="941" class="center "] (source: Finder)[/caption] Let’s

NEW VISA AND SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM BRINGS ATTENTION TO REGIONAL AUSTRALIA.

Lately the Australian Government has been announcing changes to the immigration program, focusing now even more on the regional areas. The whole idea is to attract international migrants to those cities with lack of people and with problems to fill all it’s workforce gaps. Among the changes, immigration minister David Coleman announced that the trial of the Global Talent Scheme would be made permanent and expanded to include the Global Talent Independent program to recruit 5,000 highly skilled

NEW NUMBERS FOR ELICOS IN AUSTRALIA

A recent report from ELICOS in Australia (English courses for international students) shows that in 2018 enrolments grew by only 1% comparing to 2017 to reach 179,340 students. There was also no great change in the number of study weeks, students stayed in Australia for a slightly lower average duration in 2018 as well: 13 weeks versus 13.2 in 2017. International Students Nationality Here is where we see some changes comparing to 2017. There was an 11% decline in student numbers from Europe,

AUSTRALIA – HUGE INCREASE ON THE NUMBER OF BRAZILIAN STUDENTS IN TASMANIA

Like most international students coming to Australia, Brazilians prefer to study in big cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne. But cities like Hobart, Launceston and Devonport in Tasmania are experiencing a significant growth on the past 4 years. According to data published by the Australian Government’s Department of Education Brazil continues to rank fourth among the most student-sending countries to Australia, behind China, India and Nepal. As per report published in April

REQUIREMENT FUNDS

GTE - LETTER

MELBOURNE X SYDNEY

What is the difference between a typical Melburnian and a Sydneysider?

PERMANENT VISA AUSTRALIA

Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. With warm climate, plenty of beaches, nature and nice cities to explore, this is certain a great escape.But, have you ever thought about living in Australia?

AUSTRALIA - VISA SKILLED MIGRATION

A skilled migrant visa allows skilled people to work and live in Australia. Skill Select is Australia’s General Skilled Migration program. It is a points-based system and is the most popular visa application pathway for skilled workers.

STUDENT VISA CONDITIONS

Visa conditions are the rules of a visa. They are set by Australian law and cannot be changed or disregarded to suit your circumstances. It is important that you understand these conditions, as the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) may cancel your visa if you break them. You will be sent a letter asking you to go to the DIBP office in person within 28 days. Your visa may then be cancelled and you will become an illegal resident. You can be detained and deported if this happens.

GUIDE OF WORKING IN AUSTRALIA

Many students consider Australia as their country to study abroad because you can study and also work. Although there is rules, conditions and procedures to be aware of. Eduspace will help you to understand some very important points with this post:

STUDYING ABROAD - STEP BY STEP

Are you thinking of study abroad and do not know where to start? You probably know there are lots of benefits of studying abroad – from experiencing new cultures and making friends from around the world, to boosting your employment prospects. Get to know now the best steps for studying abroad in the infographic below, and get motivated to immerse yourself in the study abroad experience!

COURSES TO HELP TO FIND A JOB

International students can also study short courses which can extend their knowledge and help them when applying for a job, we have selected the best ones for you:

GETTING AROUND IN AUSTRALIA

Catching local transport in Australia - transport tips on getting around Australia like a local.

STAYING IN CONTACT IN AUSTRALIA

Being away from home can be hard. Whether you’re on holiday, taking a gap year or have moved abroad permanently, sometimes all you need is to chat with your friends or family back home. And thanks to the internet, staying in touch is now easier than ever.

LIVING COSTS

Provided below is an approximate price guide for typical daily items. This is only a guide so priced may vary depending on the brand, type of store and its location. The list below outlines some of the costs you will incur when living in Australia (all the prices are indicative and should ONLY be used as a guide):