ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/28/2003 04 December 2003
Australian visa regulation changes to benefit Indian students
The Australian Government has announced a number of changes to its student visa regulations that will expand the opportunities for Indian students to study in Australia.
These changes, which came into effect on 1 December 2003, have reduced by at least 33 per cent the financial requirements for a undergraduate student visa application and for the first time recognise bank loans as a valid means of financing vocational education studies in Australia.
Welcoming the changes, the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penelope Wensley AO commented, "The reduction of financial requirements for undergraduate students will make an undergraduate degree in Australia a more attractive proposition for those Indian students considering studying overseas."
"Australia is already a highly-favoured destination for Indian post-graduate students, but we are keen to encourage larger numbers of undergraduate students to make Australia their first choice."
"Stronger educational links in all sectors and areas of study will strengthen our relations and bring significant and lasting benefit to both countries."
"The change to the financial requirements for vocational education studies will also expand access for Indian students to Australia's world-class vocational education and training institutions," the High Commissioner added. "The practical, vocationally oriented study that Australia offers is particularly well-suited to the needs of India's rapidly developing modern economy."
Over the past year, there has been a substantial increase in the number of student visas being issued by the Australian Visa Office in New Delhi and this strong growth trend is expected to continue, especially with the latest changes implemented on 1 December 2003.
Currently, over 90 per cent of the 12,000 Indian students studying in Australia are undertaking post-graduate studies in Information Technology, Engineering, Management, Accounting, Applied Science and Hospitality. However, new fields of study such as Biotechnology, Communication Studies, and Art and Design are also becoming popular with Indian students. This shows increasing recognition in India of the across-the-board quality and diversity of opportunities offered by Australian education institutions.
Indian students wishing to explore the educational opportunities available in Australia are urged to consult the Australian Government's website for international students: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
Details of the visa changes are available on the website of the Australian Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs: www.immi.gov.au/students
For further details, please contact Mr Quentin Stevenson-Perks, Counsellor (Education and Training), Australian High Commission, New Delhi, on telephone 26888223, ext 256.