ELICOS commencements fall 60.0% for September 2021 YTD
September has continued the trend in 2021 of maintaining a YTD fall of around 60% in commencements. Despite the national YTD figure averaging out at 60.0%, it was only Queensland and Victoria that exceeded this average, 64.8% and 63.0% respectively. However, NSW still holds the largest fall in real numbers, having seen 13,448 fewer students by September YTD 2021 compared with September 2020 YTD.
September records the lowest commencement numbers so far for 2021
Despite the somewhat positive news of most states and territories seeing percentage declines under the national average of 60% (NSW – 57.3%, ACT – 56.1%, SA – 53.0%, TAS – 51.9%, WA – 51.1% and NT – 39.4%), September has recorded the lowest number of commencements of any month in 2021 thus far, just 1537.
September is typically the second strongest month for the ELICOS sector and in 2019 saw 12,787 students commence their studies. September 2021’s numbers are just 12% of September 2019’s. The severity of the pandemic cannot be understated.
Independent ELICOS-only visa lodgements improve as the decrease narrows to under 80 per cent
A slight rise in lodgements in September 2021, albeit in tiny numbers, has seen the 2021’s decrease hit 78.4% whereas the decrease has typically been over 80% throughout 2021. This improvement came off a slight uptick in offshore lodgements with September recording 201 offshore lodgements compared to August’s 178. This reflects a positive trend for Q3 2021, which has seen growth in offshore lodgements from 158 in July to September’s 201. However, these numbers are infinitesimal compared with September 2019’s 2,398 offshore lodgements.
ELICOS market analysis: September 2021
DET Summary Report
DET Detailed Report
