International Students Pathways and Outcomes Study 2025 by JSA Report

The International Students Pathways and Outcomes Study 2025 by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) explores how international students transition from education to employment and migration in Australia. It focuses on outcomes between 2011 and 2023, highlighting how international graduates contribute to Australia’s skilled workforce and where gaps remain in the system.

Purpose of the Study

The study aims to inform future policy in the education, migration, and employment sectors by examining:

• Education-to-employment transitions.

• Long-term settlement outcomes and trends in permanent residency.

• Barriers preventing international students from securing skilled employment.

• The economic and workforce contributions of international graduates.

Key Findings from the International Students Pathways and Outcomes Study 2025

Retention and Migration Outcomes

• Around 35–40% of students from early 2010s cohorts achieved permanent residency within 10 years.

• Later cohorts from the late 2010s dropped to 25–30%, partly due to reduced labour market participation among Chinese students.

• Many graduates remain in Australia on Temporary Graduate visas (Subclass 485), particularly in the Post-Study Work stream.

Changing Student Demographics

• A significant shift has occurred from Chinese students to students from South Asia, especially India and Nepal.

• VET enrolments increased by nearly 90% from 2012 to 2022, although higher education remains the dominant sector.

Study and Work Choices

• Students frequently bundle multiple courses to extend their stay in Australia.

• More than 70% of VET and higher education courses do not offer mandatory work-integrated learning (WIL).

• Many students work in low-skilled, unrelated jobs to cover living costs, affecting career readiness.

Barriers to Skilled Employment

Key challenges include:

• Limited English proficiency and lack of Australian work experience.

• Employers' hesitation to hire temporary visa holders.

• Underemployment and exploitation in low-skilled jobs.

• High costs of professional licensing and registration.

Contribution to the Labour Market

• VET graduates are more likely to work in fields related to their study compared to higher education graduates.

• Strong employment outcomes are seen in occupations such as Registered Nurses and Chefs, where skills lists, work placements, and employer demand align.

Recommendations from the International Students Pathways and Outcomes Study 2025

1. System-Wide Objectives

• Introduce shared national goals for international education that include outcomes for a skilled workforce.

• Publish performance data by institution to improve transparency on graduate outcomes.

• Track long-term retention and economic contribution.

2. Strengthening Policy Infrastructure

• Review VET-to-work visa pathways to meet skills shortages.

• Reform permanent migration settings to reward consistent, skilled employment.

• Monitor the impact of recent integrity and migration policy changes introduced after 2024.

3. Supporting Transitions to Skilled Work

• Improve access to English language training and employability skills within courses.

• Expand work placements, internships, and practical learning opportunities.

• Encourage employer engagement with international graduates.

International Students Pathways and Outcomes Study 2025: Book a Consultation

The International Students Pathways and Outcomes Study 2025 emphasises that international students

are a vital source of future skilled workers in Australia. By improving English proficiency training, expanding work-integrated learning, and aligning migration policies with labour market needs, Australia can remain competitive as a global education destination.

Book a consultation with RACC today — we will guide you through your study options, skilled migration pathways, and the best strategies to achieve permanent residency in Australia.

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