ELICOS Market Analysis: May 2022

National ELICOS commencements for YTD May 2022 were up by 19.6%

National ELICOS commencements for YTD May 2022 increased by 19.6% versus May 2021. Enrolments decreased by 14.3%.

Market highlights

• ELICOS only lodgements were over seventeen times higher YTD.
• Grants for ELICOS only students were over eleven times higher YTD.
• Visas granted to citizens from Brazil were over one hundred times higher than in May 2021.
• Commencements from Thailand were up by 504%, up from Brazil by 105.9%, and up from Japan by 60.6%.
• Commencements from China decreased by 34.2% or 1,413 fewer students versus YTD May 2021. Chinese students made up 14.6% of commencements within ELICOS.
• Commencements from Colombia decreased by 15.8% or 301 fewer students, whilst commencements from Brazil increased by 105.9% or 1,096 additional students.
• YTD May commencements were also down for India (14.2%), South Korea (21%) and Taiwan (23.3%).

ELICOS only grants over eleven times higher

The total Independent ELICOS grants for May 2022 was 3,170, which is over eleven times higher than in May 2021. Unfortunately, the total number of Independent ELICOS visas granted is 30% down for YTD May 30th, 2022, compared to 2019. That is, 4,666 fewer Independent ELICOS visas have been granted between Jan 1st and May 30th for 2022 than was true in 2019.
 
It is key to note that, while the grant rate for Independent ELICOS is down versus previous years, the huge difference this year is down to delays in visa processing. This is particularly visible when looking at the comparison between 2022 and all previous years. Between 2006 and 2021 the total number of ELICOS visas granted was 94% of the total visa applications lodged. However, for 2022, this figure is only 51%. On the positive side, this is an improvement on last month’s figure of 46% and the government has just announced additional staffing for visa processing.

ELICOS only lodgements over seventeen times higher

Lodgements have risen considerably, with ELICOS only visa lodgements in May 2022 over seventeen times higher than in May 2021, with 4,638 total lodgements.  

The total number of Independent ELICOS visa applications lodged for YTD May 30th was at the highest point ever, which was 3,884 more visas lodged than for YTD May 30th, 2019, the previous highest year. That’s an increase of 22% versus 2019 and more than 1000% (i.e., x10) increase compared to 2021.

Visa Program Update

Members may be aware that the Department of Education and the Department of Home Affairs have released updated information to the international education sector on visa processing matters. The updates below have been communicated via PRISMS.

English Australia is continuing to advocate for action related to visa processing and is aware of the impact this is having on our members. Whilst the issues are still to be addressed it is pleasing to see the Federal government proactively respond to the issue on hand. 

Visa Provider Update August 2022

How source country and applicant profile can affect visa processing times

What the sector can do to help reduce visa processing backlogs

Government prioritising student visa processing

ELICOS market analysis: May 2022

DET Summary Report

DET Detailed Report