This month’s report shows the figures for January only. This provides pertinent insights into the current state of the sector, the immediate impact of the federal government’s current approach to visa processing, and the future of the sector should the government continue to choke the sector of incoming students.
Key Takeaways
- In January, immigration severely cut grant volumes for ELICOS Only and for VET including ELICOS + VET. ELICOS Only grants were down 47% versus 2023 and 27% versus 2020. VET (inc ELICOS + VET) were down 68% versus January last year and 61% versus Jan 2020.
- Visa grant numbers were still very high where the primary course was in higher education (inc ELICOS + HE) with this sector segment down 12% on 2023, but still 24% higher than the pre-COVID figure (Jan 2020).
- The number of visa applications lodged from all sectors in Jan was up on Jan 2023, but this was purely for HE destined students.
- Applications for ELICOS Only from offshore, ever the canary in the coal mine, were down 38% versus Jan 2023 and already lower than pre-COVID-19 numbers.
- Applications for VET study (inc ELICOS+VET) have also responded to the high refusals in December, as well as the removal of unlimited work rights and COVID 408 visas in July 2023 – the offshore applications were down by 35%.
- Enrolments and Commencements in January were strong versus 2023 and pre-COVID for all sectors as the decision to reduce the Net Overseas Migration number by refusing student visas didn’t start until Dec 2023.
- NSW and VIC saw good ELICOS commencements in January while QLD was down and WA was flat.
- ELICOS Commencements were very strong for China and Vietnam while Thailand and Brazil have seen declines versus last January.
DoE Summary Report
DoE Detailed Report
