Australia’s migration pathway for Hongkongers spurs sharp rise in numbers studying there, including mature students

3,831 visas granted to Hongkongers pursuing higher education in 2022-23, up from 3,000 the year before

Mature students choose ‘easier courses’ they can ace to qualify for migration scheme, consultant says

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Students visit an education expo in Hong Kong at a booth adorned with Australian flags. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 8:02pm, 10 Sep 2023

The number of Hong Kong students pursuing higher education in Australia rose sharply after the country rolled out a bespoke pathway to permanent residency in 2021 for those who study there.

Hongkongers older than 35 also appeared to be choosing this route to migrate. Their proportion among student visa holders from the city rose from only 1 per cent in the past to 10 per cent in the financial year that ended in June.

The full data on international student visas for 2022-23 were released by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs in July.

There were 3,831 visas granted to Hongkongers pursuing higher education, up from 3,000 the year before.

Australia, like Britain and Canada, unveiled tailor-made migration schemes for Hongkongers after Beijing imposed the national security law in 2020.

Under Australia’s migration pathway rolled out in October 2021, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders who graduate in the country and live there for three or four years with temporary graduate visas are eligible to apply for permanent residency.

The number of Hongkongers aged above 35 and pursuing further studies in Australia was a tenth of the cohort last year, up from only 1 per cent annually before the national security law was introduced. Photo: Shutterstock

The latest data showed that the age profile of Hongkongers obtaining student visas in Australia had changed dramatically.