'Better opportunities': Why thousands of Filipino students favour Australia over other countries to study

Despite recent changes and restrictions affecting international students, many, including Filipinos, continue to choose to study in Australia. The country's proximity to the Philippines, its cultural diversity, and the broad array of available courses are among the key factors driving this preference.

Filipinos are drawn to study in Australia for several reasons, including its rich diversity, extensive range of academic programs, and close proximity to the Philippines. Credit: SBS Filipino/A.Violata

Key Points

• The Australian government has revamp several restrictions for international students including increasing the required English proficiency to 6.0 from the previous 5.5 for Student Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa applications; the financial requirement has been raised to $29,710.
• The Philippines is ranked fourth among the country of origin for international students for the January to April 2024 period.
• The number of international students studying in Australia totalled 704,931 for the January-April 2024 period. 35,309 of these students are from the Philippines.

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Filipino International Students still choose Australia over other countries for their studies.

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Limitations and restrictions

“Definitely it was scary because it was like, if I go through and it gets rejected it’s gonna be a lot of trouble. And we’ve been seeing on the news [about the migration changes] and they’re cracking down, it’s going to be more harsh”.

23-year-old Rian Reyes reflected on how nerve-wracking it was to hear about the changes in immigration policies, particularly those impacting international students.

Several migration restrictions came into effect between March and July 2024 as implemented by the Australian Government, including a reduction in the number of international student intake.

Changes include raising the financial capacity requirement to $29,710 per individual student, the amended Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Statement, now known as the Genuine Student (GS) Statement and the increased English proficiency requirement of 6.0 from the previous 5.5.

However, Ms. Reyes was undeterred by these changes. She successfully obtained her visa to study in Australia and arrived in Sydney in mid-July.

"The requirement of the English test, I actually didn't know that they've increased it, but I expected it because I heard they're making it difficult to apply... even if it was strict, this is still what I wanted to do."

Filipino students at Macquarie University in NSW Credit: SBS Filipino/A.Violata

Better opportunities

Bachelor of Business Major in International Studies student Meekhyle Avery Damian acknowledges the challenges he will face in a new environment in a new country

"One of the biggest adjustments would be meeting many new people from different cultures," points out Damian.

Despite the challenges, the young man focuses on the positive aspects of his journey.

"Better opportunities and a new environment... I hope to grow more here as an individual."

Damian aspires to secure employment in Australia after completing his course and hopes to eventually settle in the country permanently.

In time for the start of the second semester in Australia, Meekhyle Avery Damian (in light blue jumper) arrived in Sydney to start his international student journey. Credit: SBS Filipino/A.Violata

'Hang in there'

Both Rian Reyes and Meekhyle Avery Damian have just launched their journey in Australia, but they hope to inspire other Filipinos contemplating on studying Down Under.

"Just keep on working and whatever the requirements are, just do them," Meekhyle briefly says.

Ms Reyes says that when applying for a student visa, be truthful at the very outset of the process.

“When you’re applying just be as genuine as possible in particular the statement about your plans and what you intend to do in Australia, and just be honest.”