Seventy-seven per cent of Indian students choose Australia with a clear goal in mind: to settle permanently, according to the latest report by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). 

This staggering figure underlines that for many international students, coming to Australia is less about studying and more about securing a future through permanent residency. The study also revealed that over 79 per cent of Nepalese students come to Australia with the intention of settling here permanently.

Indian students now make up the second-largest international student group in Australia, after Chinese students. This is driven largely by the country’s attractive migration pathways tied to study. 

The JSA study reveals that more than three-quarters of Indian higher education students see the possibility of permanent residency as a key reason for coming Down Under. Many treat Australian qualifications less as an end and more as a means to secure a future in the country.

Permanent Residency Pathway Informs Course Choices

This migration focus affects everything from course choices to career planning. Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs such as nursing, commercial cookery, and hospitality are especially popular with international students, as these align with permanent residency occupation lists.

Graduates openly admit to picking courses to improve their chances of staying, rather than following purely academic interests.

The JSA study included accounts from graduates who openly explain selecting courses based on how they can help them qualify for residency, rather than purely academic interest.

The JSA report reveals that about 35–40% of international students who began studying in the early 2010s have gained permanent residency within ten years—more than double previous estimates. For those who work during or after their studies, the chance jumps to over 50%. Indian students rank highly among those successfully transitioning from student visas to permanent residents.

Underemployment And Wage Disparities Are Common

However, the path is not without hurdles. Many graduates work below their skill levels or outside their fields, with wage disparities common. English language barriers and a lack of practical work experience also hinder employment prospects. 

The report calls for stronger English proficiency testing and increased work-integrated learning to better prepare students for Australia’s workforce demands.

Employer hesitation remains another key barrier. Some view temporary visa holders with caution, limiting their access to skilled roles despite Australia’s well-documented skills shortages. 

A Skilled Workforce Benefits Australia

The study has recommended reforms that better align visa pathways with genuine employment and permanent residence opportunities.

Policy-wise, the report proposes 11 sweeping reforms. These include better data transparency, reforming migration settings to ease pathways from study to permanent residence, and better supporting VET providers, which are an important pipeline for international students. 

The recommendations aim to ensure Australia retains its top talent and fully benefits from this growing skilled workforce.

For Indian students, studying in Australia represents an investment in becoming part of a diverse, opportunity-rich society. With the right support and policy reforms, their growing numbers could become one of Australia’s most valuable skilled worker pools.