In late 2025, over 2,000 international students shared their thoughts about life and study in Australia through the annual Study Australia International Student Sentiment Survey.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.
Here’s what you told us and how we’re making sure you’re supported every step of the way.
Between 2024 and 2025, 48% of students said their perception of Australia as a welcoming community improved, and safety remains one of the most positively rated aspects of the student experience.
Australia is still recognised as a safe, inclusive and supportive destination for international students. Many students report positive experiences with local communities, high-quality education environments, and a strong sense of belonging during their studies.
While some students noted concerns about feeling less welcome, most continue to highlight the friendly communities, safe living conditions and quality student life that Australia offers. Governments, education providers and community organisations are working together to ensure international students feel supported, respected and included throughout their time in Australia.
Like other students studying abroad around the world, some students surveyed in Australia were feeling worried about financial pressures. We hear you. Living and studying in another country requires careful financial planning.
Financial pressures remain a key consideration for students, but according to the latest survey, financial stress is easing slightly. Many students continue to manage their budgets carefully, showing resilience as conditions gradually improve.
For help with employment and workplace rights, head to our Work in Australia directory. To support you with budgeting, these tips may help:
While 41% of students reported difficulty finding accommodation, this has improved from 51% in 2024, reflecting better access to housing for international students.
We recommend researching your accommodation options well before arriving in Australia.
Here are some tips to help find the right accommodation:
Here are what to know to understand your rights as a housing tenant in Australia:
Awareness of support services remains uneven. While 50% of students are aware of careers services, awareness of other critical services like housing advice (28%) and financial support (28%) remains low.
To help you get there, we’ve tried to make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
Explore free student support available to you in your local state or territory:
You can also check out our support services directory for a wide range of health, legal, employment and mental wellbeing resources available to you.
Concerns about visa conditions dropped significantly (70% to 39%). And the top concern is now academic success, with 50% focused on managing their studies
This suggests that as the migration strategy becomes clearer, students are refocusing their energy on the classroom.
You can also stay up to date with visa and policy news:
While only 30% of students said they had used the Study Australia website, 85% of those who did use it found the information helpful.
Bookmark our pages as your go-to hub for all the information you need about studying, working and living in Australia.
Here are some examples of what you can find on our site:
Every international student experience is different and every voice matters. Whether you're thriving or going through a challenging time, support is always available.