Australia's appeal is waning, say overseas agents

International recruiters in China are "fed up" with 바카라사이트 Australian government's attitude to immigration and are directing students to 바카라사이트 US and UK instead, according to an Australian agent.

John Findley said Australia was becoming less popular because of 바카라사이트 exchange rate, high tuition fees, less attractive commissions for agents and 바카라사이트 greater ease of securing visas to 바카라사이트 US and UK. He told The Australian newspaper: "All agents (in China) are fed up with our current government's attitude to migration."

The comments demonstrate 바카라사이트 extent to which perceptions of government visa policy among students and agents can affect universities' attractiveness.

Despite Mr Findley's suggestion that 바카라사이트 UK is among 바카라사이트 nations taking Australia's place in 바카라사이트 overseas market, many in Britain are worried that changes to 바카라사이트 Tier 4 visa system may put off students.

Mr Findley, whom The Australian described as an education and migration expert who represents a "range of providers", said 바카라사이트 US F-1 and British Tier 4 student visas were regarded as easier to obtain than Australia's 573 student visa.

"Australia is seen as second rate in 바카라사이트 global education stakes. It gets 바카라사이트 student business because 바카라사이트 students see a pathway to migration," he said.

He added that all 바카라사이트 agency sales staff he had met at 바카라사이트 recent Beijing International Expo were trying to get into 바카라사이트ir company's US department.

"The best recruiters are deserting Australia. All agencies, including (Australia's biggest education broker) IDP, promote 바카라사이트 US on 바카라사이트ir websites. These days, most make 바카라사이트 US 바카라사이트ir headline offering; many are relegating Australia to third, or fourth behind New Zealand. Australia (used to be) 바카라사이트 headline," he said.

However, an IDP spokesman denied that 바카라사이트 broker promoted 바카라사이트 US ahead of Australia. "Australia is 바카라사이트 main part of our business and will remain so. By offering 바카라사이트 US as a destination, as well as Australia, we reach a far larger pool of students interested in international education," 바카라사이트 spokesman said.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.