The total numbers for Colombia at the end of 2022 reached 28,437, including the number of registrations, initiations and year-to-date visa applications abroad.
In a recent overview of the international student market in Latin America, Austrade noted its push for prospective students to return to face-to-face recruitment events across Latin America.
“2023 is shaping up to be a very strong year for Australian student recruitment from the LATAM region,” the update said.
Throughout October, BMI recruitment fairs in Colombia, as well as Brazil, Chile and Mexico, hosted Study Australia pavilions, as well as LAE agent events, all with Austrade support for “greater reach and impact”.
Another key trend the update focused on was Brazil’s strong post-pandemic comeback.
It noted that although the launch “lagged” in sign-ups, this was due to high ticket prices, which have since come down – with a flight between São Paulo and Australia now under AUS$3,000.
At the end of 2022, the total number of students from Brazil in Australia was 24,554.
While Mexico’s numbers are not as strong in general international student numbers, Austrade said it continued to have “significant potential given student volumes in competing markets”.
“2023 is shaping up to be a very strong year”
For example, Canada has seen a meteoric rise in the number of Mexican students in the country in recent years. In 2022, about 10,405 students had a study permit, which is 10% more than in 2021.
“Propelling the Study Australia brand further, the Austrade team has signed an agreement with Bank of Mexico student loan provider FIDERH for joint marketing and events,” the update adds.
Austrade was also optimistic about Chile’s growth following the re-opening of the country’s scholarship program for international students, Becas Chile, in 2022.
Globally, the scheme has not received the application numbers it did before the pandemic, but Austrade said Australia now has a “known presence” in the country and the projected current numbers should not deter interested parties.
“[Australia] is in a strong position to compete in sectors of common interest, including mining and agriculture,” the update said.
Peru’s connection with Australia remains “strong” thanks to the resumption of the Australian student loan option through the country’s national bank, BCP.
The Peru and Paraguay Scholarships for Australian Studies functions, PRONABEC and BECAL, have confirmed a new intake of students and announced a call for new applications.
