Brisbane Airport Welcomes International Students Back!

As key study-abroad markets — including China — reopen, Australia’s university campuses are bouncing back faster than ever this year. In December alone, the number of student visa applications in Queensland jumped 31%, rising from 7,170 to 9,400.

Queensland’s major universities, including UQ, have set up welcome booths at the airport to help new international students navigate their first steps in Australia.

Last Friday saw a mini-peak in international student arrivals. “The return of overseas students is critically important to the economy of south-east Queensland. Visiting students inject billions of dollars into the Australian economy,” said Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation.

“China is a critically important market, and our aviation team is actively working with airlines to restore direct services to make it easier for students and visitors to connect with Brisbane and Queensland.”

As at 30 November, the top five source countries for Queensland’s international student market were:

— China — 21%

— India — 13%

— Brazil — 7%

— Colombia — 6%

— Nepal — 5%

Around 30% of these international students study at campuses outside Brisbane, including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.

Sydney Rental Market at Breaking Point — “Over 100 Applicants for Every Property”!

Every rental property on the Sydney market is attracting hundreds of applicants, with unprecedented pressure pushing rents to record-breaking prices. The vast majority of applicants are offering above the advertised asking price.

Australia’s national vacancy rate sits at a historic low of just 0.9%, forcing rents to dizzying heights and creating fierce competition for every available property.

Although NSW banned so-called “rental bidding” late last year in an attempt to rein in soaring rents, tenants are now “voluntarily” offering above the asking price to secure a property.

In Sydney, every rental apartment is receiving over 100 applications, with 80% of applicants offering more than the listed price.