Despite the perception that Australia offers excellent job opportunities immediately after graduation, this belief is not always reflected in reality, as international students sometimes find it challenging to secure jobs in their fields of study.
Despite the perception that Australia offers excellent job opportunities immediately after graduation, this belief is not always reflected in reality, as international students sometimes find it challenging to secure jobs in their fields of study.
Changes to student visas in July, which enable graduates from various courses to stay in Australia for an additional two years, have led to a surge in applications from international students.
As a result, Australia has regained its position as the top global destination for international students, according to data from IDP Education.
Despite the perception that Australia offers excellent job opportunities immediately after graduation, this belief is not always reflected in reality, as international students sometimes find it challenging to secure jobs in their fields of study.
Only approximately 33% of graduates obtained full-time employment directly related to their area of study.
According to Jane Li, Australasia director of operations at IDP Education, there is a disparity between the expectations of international students on job prospects and their real-world experiences.
“There is some bias and misperceptions among Australian employers towards international students, including around their language abilities, visa constraints and their commitment to the job if they don’t have permanent residency,” Li said.
The IDP study, which surveyed 10,000 international students, revealed that while the quality of education was the primary reason for choosing a particular country, good employment prospects were a close second in importance.
The study coincides with a report from the Grattan Institute in October, which highlighted that a significant number of international graduates were entering low-skill jobs in areas like hospitality and retail, despite widespread skill shortages across nearly every sector of the economy.
The Grattan Institute discovered that the proportion of temporary graduate visa-holders transitioning to permanent residency in Australia had decreased to less than a third, down from approximately 66 percent in 2014. This is in contrast to government policies aimed at facilitating this transition.
The number of temporary graduate visas is expected to increase to 350,000 by 2030, up from approximately 200,000 at present.
Grattan’s economic policy program director, Brendan Coates, said approximately one in three graduates choose to pursue further education, incurring additional costs, while many end up in a state of indefinite visa uncertainty as they seek permanent residency.
Recently, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade in Australia has presented 29 recommendations to the government, aiming to assist the international education sector to “rebuild and reset” and establish sustainable growth following the pandemic.
The much-anticipated initial report from the group’s trade subcommittee has been eagerly awaited since the government initiated an inquiry into the sector’s recovery in October 2022.
Recommendations put forth by the committee are based on evidence gathered from a diverse range of sources, including experts from various regions of Australia, educational institutions, educators, students, and migration agents. These recommendations are a reflection of the insights and perspectives shared during the inquiry.
