The Koala News has been rife with updates, analyses, and responses to the proposed changes to ESOS legislation, the Senate committee’s inquiry, Department of Home Affairs actions, the creation of caps for international students, and increased visa fees. The upheaval is in the headlines, and those across the International education sub-sectors know all too well the uncertainty it has created.
The often forgotten and somewhat quieter schools sector hasn’t been a big part of this political conversation. I am pleased to report on the effects of the uncertainty and broad-brush sweeping changes on the school sector in Australia.
The school sector appears to be seeing limited impact from recent legislative and regulatory changes. The YTD data from the Australian Government Department of Education PRISMS Data shows that commencements are on track to surpass 2023, and student numbers have already truly surpassed numbers from the previous year. More promisingly, the numbers are on track to surpass pre-COVID 2020 data. With total student numbers for schools being just under 15000 in 2020 and YTD showing almost 19000, there is a 27% increase in school student numbers this year. There is also a 16.8% increase in commencements from 2023 to 2024 YTD. [i]
Thus, while the rest of international education is running about trying to pour buckets on the political fires, the schools sector is comfortably staying relatively safe from the flames.
I have made some inquiries to admissions teams across the country to hear how things are going “on the ground” and in the classroom for international students. After contacting 10 CRICOS registered schools across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, there are some trends worth reporting.
Sentiment is up
Promisingly, only one school contacted reported a decrease in interest and applications, and most reported no decrease or an increase. This demonstrates that the schools sector may be the one to ‘go against the grain’ compared to higher education, VET, and English language sectors.
Visas
While sentiment may be up, it’s not all good news. Some schools are reporting a noticed increase in visa rejection from China, particularly those with guardian visas. Essentially, students coming on their own with the schools assuming guardianship have been mostly unaffected by approvals. Still, students coming from China with a guardian visa attached have experienced increased chances of having their visa application rejected. This has led to schools increased vetting of parents requiring guardian visas or encouraging students to come on their own. This would not prevent parents from applying for a guardian visa after their child is onshore, if this is still a priority for them.
There has also been an increased time lag in visa processing, according to Vivian Cao from St Augustine’s in Sydney.
The increased rejection of Chinese student visas and longer processing times has seen some frustration from agents working with schools. This, in turn, has led to some agents/students applying to other countries with easier processing and higher chances of success.
Another noticed decline was reported by Michael Bartlett of All Saints Anglican School on the Gold Coast has been the Hong Kong market. This has been affected by the massive emigration of wealthier families from Hong Kong to Europe and other destinations. This is in line with global trends reported earlier this year in the Koala News. However overall, Bartlett notes his school continues to do well and operate at capacity for their international student cohort.
Change in engagement strategies
The situation of the global market has required some schools to adapt their marketing strategies. Two schools, one in NSW and one in Victoria are further seeking to diversify the market more as negative media about costs and caps are affecting some markets like Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. Nadine James from Macarthur Anglican said they will ‘focus on countries that Study Australia and Study NSW are recruiting in and try to grow Australia’s trade partners.’ She continued on to say that using good agents they trust has been invaluable throughout this.
Jane Tepper from Oakleigh Grammar in Melbourne has noted her school has seen an increase in students wanting to do just the last two years and with students coming with siblings as well. Thus, schools that offer visas for junior and senior school combined have a more appealing offer. It also means offering more support for the entire family when they arrive.
Several schools commented that they are also more open to hosting Study Tours as a way to promote and grow their brand and to attract students with a genuine interest in living and being in Australia. This works particularly well with the Japanese and Korean markets.
Overall, for a change, we are not reporting doom and gloom for international education. While the rest of the industry is running about to navigate the new landscape, the overall sentiment from schools is optimistic and that is a good thing.
