Higher education study visas granted in the first three quarters of the current financial year were up 10 000 on 2016-17, to 124 000, according to new figures from the Department of Home Affairs. However the trend is not strong, with total education visa applications down 7 000 to 117 00 for the year on year third quarters

Immediate demand from China held up with, the number of PRC students granted visas up 6 per cent, to 44 602. Visas granted to Chinese students for all visa categories increased by 4 000 to 54 000. Some 22 000 Indian higher education students were also granted visa, up 5 000 on the first three quarters of 16-17. Total Indian visas also increased, from 19 000 to 25 000.

But China applications are off, down 4 000 to 45 000 in the year to February, compared to the first three quarters of 2016-17.