Student visa numbers on increase

Letter to the Editor - Australian Financial Review
7 August 2003

Dear Sir/Madam

Contrary to concerns raised in Matt O'Sullivan's article, Export education facing tough times (5 August 2003), student visa numbers, particularly those from China, are continuing to rise.

The number of offshore visas granted to Chinese students increased by 51 per cent in 2001-02 and by a further six per cent in the 2002-03 program year.

The emergence of SARS and the general concern surrounding international security has affected the number of visitors from China, some of whom may have been on study tours. However, this situation is now recovering. Despite the impact of SARS, visitor visa numbers for China over 2002-03 increased slightly (0.6 per cent) compared with the previous year.

Student visa approval rates have risen since the introduction of more transparent and objective student visa requirements in July 2001. The requirements support the continuing growth of the education export industry while ensuring high levels of integrity.

Kym Charlton
Acting Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA