Navitas survey reveals huge lift in education agent perceptions of Australia

A major survey of education agents has revealed a massive improvement in Australia’s appeal to international students since borders were opened.

International student sentiment towards Australia has increased sharply, according to education agents.

A major survey of education agents has revealed a massive improvement in Australia’s appeal to international students in the wake of the opening of borders last December.

The survey, conducted half-yearly by education company Navitas, found that 80 per cent of agents now perceive Australia as “open and welcoming” compared to 20 per cent in the previous round in October 2021. Similarly the proportion of agents seeing Australia as “safe and stable” for students rose from 49 per cent to 81 per cent over the period.

More than 700 education agents in all major student markets responded to the survey.

The results will give heart to Australian universities and educational institutions, amid fears other education-provider countries were moving ahead faster. Nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of the agents agreed there had been more interest in Australia in the past two months, up from a low of only 28 per cent in October 2021.

“Australia has substantially closed the gap with Canada and the UK on this measure,” Navitas said.

The strongest turnaround was in southeast and south Asia where 90 per cent or more agents in the May 2022 survey said interest in Australia had increased in the past two months. However China remained relatively weak at 54 per cent.

Jon Chew, global head of insights and analystics at Navitas, said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the improved perception of Australia would result in a higher mid-year intake of international students for the second semester.

“We will see some institutions do better than others. My concern is that the overall pie will not grow quickly enough to satisfy everyone,” Mr Chew said.