One of the highlights of the 2024 Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) was the opportunity to chair the Policy Headwinds session with Jon Chew, Chief Insights Officer, Navitas and Simon Emmett, CEO, IDP Connect, IDP Education. Here are some key takeaways.
Canada has lost its position as preferred destination of choice
When IDP presented its Emerging Futures 4 results at AIEC 2023, Canada was the preferred destination, tied with Australia, at 25 per cent of surveyed student preferences.
But the impact of Canada’s government policy settings is being felt in the market, with the 2024 IDP Emerging Futures 6 results showing a decline in destination preference of 9 per cent.
The Navitas Agent Perception Survey also reflects a downturn in interest in Canada as a destination country, following the introduction of caps and ongoing policy uncertainty.
Interest in Australia may be moving in the same direction as Canada, as can be seen in the chart above, with a decline in interest for Australia in the last year, from 84 per cent to 71 per cent.
Other policy implications
Four of the eight top factors influencing the choice of study destination are impacted by government policy, according to the Navitas Agent Perception Survey.
The impact of caps
When asked if they would be willing to change their preferred study destination, institution or field of study if this meant there would be no caps or limitations, more than half (55 per cent), stated they were willing to change either their preferred study destination, institution or field of study. (IDP Emerging Futures 6). And 25 per cent of students who preferred Australia said they were willing to change their study destination.
IDP Hotcourses sites data is showing a softening in search demand for Australia, a lead indicator of applications and enrolments.
IDP 2024 Pre-election survey
The results of a pre-election survey of almost 1000 international students intending to study in the US found that over half of respondents are not influenced by who will win the election.
Emmett explained that students are not influenced by politicians or political parties, but rather by policies.
Applicants applying to more
Applicants are applying to more destination countries and more institutions within each destination country, according to a Navitas Agent Perception Survey. And as interest is decreasing in major destination countries, it is increasing in other emerging destinations.
IDP’s Emerging Futures 6 report supports the Navitas finding, with 66 per cent of respondents considering more than one destination to study in or receive their international qualification from.
The full presentation will be available for viewing for attendees at AIEC 2024, keep an eye out for its release.
