0
0
India has leapfrogged China as the number one country of origin for foreign students in Victoria, as universities and student accommodation providers report a better-than-expected return of internationals arriving to study in Melbourne.
People from India make up a quarter of the 96,300 international student visa holders currently in Victoria, followed by those from China on 19 per cent and Nepal on 7 per cent.
In March 2020, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Chinese students accounted for just over 25 per cent of the state’s international student population, with India the second largest contributor at 24 per cent.
Victoria’s international student contingent has risen to 96,300 this month, after dropping from 151,500 before the pandemic to a low of 68,400 in December 2021.
International education workers believe the stunted return of Chinese students is due to a combination of geopolitical tensions, tough COVID-19 and travel restrictions in their home country and the flexibility of online study.
Four weeks into most university semesters, the City of Melbourne says about 4000 international students are still arriving each week, as some students report delays in having their visa approved.
