Australia has opened up after COVID-19 and has called upon students to apply to various educational programmes.
Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Monica Kennedy said Australia had seen a surge in applications for higher education from Indian students. Between November 22, 2021, and March 18 this year, 15,310 visas had been granted, she said. “Over 25,000 students are arriving on our shores to begin or resume study at Australia’s quality education institutions,” Ms. Kennedy said.
She was addressing the media at the Australian government’s Study Australia roadshow here on Friday. The Australian government has offered a range of services, including refund of visa fee for international students and COVID-19 visa fee waiver, extra time for English language tests and health checks, replacement of temporary graduate visas and extended “stay and work” periods.
Fully vaccinated international student visa holders who arrived in that country between January 19 and March 19 were eligible for a refund of their visa application fee. The refund is applicable to current visa holders and new students. Eligible visa holders can make a claim until December 31, 2022. The country has lifted work restrictions while studying for international student visa holders.
Among the most sought-after courses are AI, Data Analytics, and Cyber Security, said Abizer Merchant, director, India and Sri Lanka, Macquarie University.
To a question on how the students were assessed if there were no entrance test to programmes, Sumit Agarwal, manager, South Asia, International and Services Division, CQ University, said Australia had an advanced system of classifying universities which helped them assess the students’ performance and rank them accordingly.
