Highlights
- Australia's share of international student market dips as Canada, the UK, US register heavy growth
- At least 17,676 Indian international students are currently stuck outside Australia
- Experts claim global competitors are gaining as a result of Australia's tight border policy and lack of a timeline for student return
Saksham Arora had built a life in Melbourne – he rented a house, bought a second-hand car and gave refuge to a stray cat – lovingly called Moose, who he said is currently living at the mercy of his roommates.
Looking back at the two years he has spent in his hometown in Phagwara, in north India, the 26-year-old engineering student told SBS Punjabi that he has lost everything he had painstakingly earned and saved in Australia – the country he hoped would be his future.
"I went to Australia because I loved the beaches, the scenery, the education standard and the opportunities it provided. In the two years I stayed there, life was great. I made many friends and felt at home," he recalled.
Mr Arora who describes himself as a “man of action” said life in limbo wasn’t for him.
"I tried studying online, but after completing two semesters, I decided to suspend my course and applied for a Canadian student visa because I was eager to restart my life and not spend a single more minute waiting for Australia to reopen."
He left for Toronto last month, days before Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia would reopen its international border on 1 November.
"Looking back, I feel coming to Canada was the best decision I ever made because Australia, though it has reopened its borders, remain closed for students, who are tired of assurances. They need a specific date so they can plan ahead," he added.
'We've seen a significant decrease in interest from Indian students'
Australian universities at risk of losing international students to Canada. Source: Getty Images/ewg3D
According to the international student recruitment marketplace Adventus, foreign student applications for Australian universities have plunged 51% since March 2021.
In the meantime, Canada's market share has exponentially grown by 148 per cent, UK's by 150% and US' student market has expanded by a whopping 422%, indicating that Australia's loss is converting into massive gains for its global competitors in the education sector.
Experts claim the exodus is being led by students from source countries like China and India, which account for the largest cohorts of students to Australian universities.
The two countries jointly have close to 100,000 currently-enrolled students stuck offshore, who are waiting for their turn to return to in-person studies, primarily in campuses across New South Wales and Victoria.
IDP Connect client director Andrew Wharton said, "We've seen a significant decrease in interest from Indian students looking to study in Australia."
"I think it's primarily because they didn't have the hardware and the internet connection to have an enjoyable and satisfying (learning) experience. They were doing their courses on mobile phones and with a poor connection. So that's what we've seen has happened," he told Study International. 
'Australia should have stepped up for international students'
Paramjit Kaur with her husband. Source: Supplied by Paramjit Kaur
Paramjit Kaur, one of the 17,676 students stranded in India, said both the Australian government and the institutions failed to step up for its students in their time of need.
"Both the government and educational institutes have repeatedly spoken about the importance of international students to the economy, but not once have they made us their priority," said the 25-year-old student who had travelled to Punjab to get married in January 2020.
Ms Kaur, who was pursuing a diploma in early childhood care from an Adelaide-based institute, said she is "depressed and out of options."
"I spent so much money and time on my education, and now I have no pathway to return. I tried completing my course online, but how can they expect me to carry out practical training while sitting miles away. So I have been left with an incomplete education, an unpaid loan and a life hanging in the balance," she rued.
Ravi Lochan Singh, the president of the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI), said the country needs a national pro-active strategy to bring back existing students on priority.
Experts claim global competitors are gaining as a result of Australia's tight border policy Source: Getty Images/JohnnyGreig
"International students who have lived here and studied for years need to be brought back so that they can complete their degrees."
He added that Australia's luck is running out with international students, who are actively shifting their immigration dreams to other countries with more "open policies."
"Australia is the only country that seems closed even when it is in a far 'luckier' situation. International students have been assured for months that they will be returned as a priority once the virus is contained.
"Despite being in such a good position, Australia remains aloof to strategising and taking key decisions that can make a difference to students and to the economy. I don't call it 'taking risks'," he said.
What is the government's stand on international students?
The Morrison Government continues to express its keenness to fly back international students but has not yet communicated a specific timeline for their return.
During a press conference with the Indian media on 30 October, the prime minister said he could foresee a return of a small number of vaccinated students by year-end through state plans. But he stated that a majority would be able to fly back only in time for the start of the 2022 academic year.
In the background, at least two states, New South Wales and South Australia have secured approvals from the Commonwealth government for their student return plans, while Victoria's plan for a phased return of vaccinated students has recently been endorsed by the government.
The first phase of the NSW plan is anticipated to bring back 500 students to Sydney on chartered flights, a small group of 160 students will be allowed back into Adelaide as part of the SA government's plan.
SBS is committed to informing Australia's diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at
