In late 2024, 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 response. Your feedback has helped us better understand your experience, what is working well for you, and where more support is needed.
Here’s what you told us and how we’re making sure you’re supported every step of the way.
When asked which parts of your experience had improved the most between 2023 and 2024, more than half of students surveyed (51%) said that their experience of safety and security had improved, and almost half (48%) said the Australian community feels more welcoming to them.
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.
To support you on budgeting, we also have some helpful blog posts including:
Around half of our survey respondents (51%) said they had found it hard when looking for suitable housing arrangements in Australia.
To help make this process easier, we recommend researching your accommodation options well before arriving in Australia. We have many resources to help you find the right type of accommodation for you:
We also have some important information to make sure you understand your rights as a housing tenant in Australia:
Only 17% of international students surveyed in Australia had made use of a student support service provided by their local state or territory government or study hub – but those who did use those services reported 92% satisfaction!
So, make sure you can enjoy the same level of service and satisfaction by reaching out for support when you need it. 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.
Some students are feeling confused about recent changes to post-study work visa rules and future residency options, especially students over 35.
We work closely with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs to make sure you have access to accurate, timely updates:
While only 35% of students said they had used the Study Australia website, 84% 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.