This unsettling trend, fueled by a housing shortage, is echoed by concerns raised by multiple study abroad consultants in New Delhi and Bengaluru
A surge in accommodation prices across Australia is threatening the aspirations of Indian students eager to pursue higher education abroad, with housing expenses witnessing a steep 15% hike in recent months. This unsettling trend, fueled by a housing shortage, is echoed by concerns raised by multiple study abroad consultants in New Delhi and Bengaluru, Economic Times reported.
According to data exclusively shared with ET by University Living, a prominent global student housing marketplace, the cost of shared rooms or dormitories has soared by 14.6%, reaching AUD 329 per week over the past year. With India contributing significantly to the international student cohort in Australia, comprising the second-largest group with around 120,000 students, the repercussions of this housing crisis are acutely felt.
The report quoted Sumeet Jain, co-founder of Yocket, an online platform for international education, lamented the financial strain imposed on students, emphasizing that escalating housing costs are jeopardizing their financial stability. The situation is exacerbated by recent stringent regulations mandating students to maintain specific bank balances for living expenses, further exacerbating their plight.
The Australian government’s recent implementation of stricter visa regulations, aimed at curbing migrant influx, has added to the woes of prospective Indian students.
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While the housing crisis in Australia mirrors similar concerns in Canada, the UK, and the US, Amit Singh, founder of ASL, commended governmental interventions aimed at preserving the integrity of the education system
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Amidst apprehensions, one student expressed unwavering resolve, affirming faith in Australia’s educational institutions despite regulatory upheavals
Mayank Maheshwari, COO, and co-founder of University Living, was quoted by the ET as underscoring the adverse impact on visa approval rates, citing a 5% decline, particularly affecting students from India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
These regulatory measures, part of a broader strategy to rationalize immigration levels, reflect a paradigm shift in Australia’s policy framework. The government aims to scale down annual immigration to 250,000 by mid-2025, reverting to pre-pandemic levels, with revised protocols encompassing English proficiency assessments and a “genuine student test.”
Experts trace the roots of the current housing crisis to a culmination of factors, including past immigration surges, burgeoning demand in urban centers like Sydney and Melbourne, and the proliferation of dubious educational institutions. Akshay Chaturvedi, CEO of Leverage Edu, stressed the necessity of restoring integrity to the student visa system, asserting that regulatory adjustments were inevitable.
The report quoted Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, who elucidated that the stringent laws were primarily aimed at deterring low-skilled migration, underscoring Australia’s resolve to address housing concerns and safeguard its economy.
Piyush Kumar, regional director of IDP Education, reassured genuine students, asserting that policy changes would primarily target non-genuine applicants, thereby minimizing adverse effects on authentic aspirants.
While the housing crisis in Australia mirrors similar concerns in Canada, the UK, and the US, Amit Singh, founder of ASL, commended governmental interventions aimed at preserving the integrity of the education system. Amidst apprehensions, one student expressed unwavering resolve, affirming faith in Australia’s educational institutions despite regulatory upheavals.
While challenges persist for Indian students eyeing Australian universities, concerted efforts by governments and educational stakeholders promise to navigate through the storm, ensuring that genuine aspirations continue to find a pathway to fruition amidst evolving regulatory landscapes.
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