Over 1,000 students from various schools, colleges and universities in and around Coimbatore on Monday attended the Study Australia Roadshow organised by Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Australian Government’s International trade promotion and investment attraction agency) at Karunya University here.

Ten of Australia’s top Universities showcased their offerings at the roadshow, as the country.is home to some of the best Universities in the world, as 36 out of 41 Universities are ranked in the top1,000 of the World.

The Trade Commissioner, Australia’s Trade and Investment Commission, Chennai, Abdujl Ekram highlighted the new opportunities available to Indian students with the signing of Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between India and Australia University Grants Commission in India recently announced draft guidelines for foreign universities to set up branch campuses in India, which is another step towards bringing the Australian education closer to Indian students, he pointed out.

“The Study Australia Showcase is another step that shows the strength of the relationship between Australia and India. We work closely with Indian students to ensure they are making the best decisions when it comes to study in Australia.The Study Australia roadshow provides updated, reliable, and relevant information to students, parents, education counsellors, and heads of institutes,” Ekram said.

The recently signed Australia – India Economic Cooperation & Trade Agreement supports international students graduating with a diploma or trade qualification to stay and work in Australia for up to 18 months post study, while bachelor’s and master’s degrees allow students to remain in the country for two and three years, respectively.

A four-year post-study work right will be accorded to Indian students graduating with doctoral degrees. There is also a special allowance for Indian students who graduate with first-class honours in a bachelor’s degree in STEM or Information and Communications Technology (ICT) fields.

Those students will be permitted to stay and work in Australia for up to three years.

A total of 1,000 visas per year will be reserved for Indian students allowing recipients to study or receive training in Australia for up to four months, he said.

More than 70,000 student from India went to Australia in 2022 (back to pre-pandemic numbers), from November 22 last year, after Australia announced the biorder open for students.

The roadshow was started from February 17 in Bengaluru and next will be held at Vishapatnam on February 22.