A new report reveals that Australia has become the most preferred international study destination for Indian students. According to Emerging Futures Seven – Voice of the International Student survey by IDP Education conducted in March 2025, Australia has surpassed the United States to claim the top spot.
The advancement of Australia is attributed to its robust global rankings and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which has made post-study work rights more appealing. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, 15 Australian universities are ranked in the top 200.
A Decline in Canada's Popularity
Out of about 6,000 global students surveyed, 1,400 were Indian. Among them, 28% of Indian students chose Australia as their first choice, while the USA ranked second with 22%, and the UK third with 21%. Canada's popularity has significantly dropped from 19% last year to just 13% now.
While the U.S. remains a strong option due to the quality of higher education, career opportunities, and visa policies, Indian students are now prioritizing factors such as study costs and financial assistance.
Students Cite Expenses as Major Concern
In the survey, 66% of students cited expenses as their biggest concern, while 47% pointed to visa challenges, 43% to housing costs, and 39% found studying with a part-time job challenging. Additionally, 55% of students stated that scholarship availability could change their destination choice, and 54% emphasized the importance of part-time work options. According to the report, 77% of Indian students consider better career and income prospects as the main purpose of studying abroad. Amid these trends, Australia's student-friendly policies and academic reputation are making it the new favored destination for Indian students.
