According to the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment, there were 14,180 Filipino International students enrolled in Australia in January 2020. Many of these students have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippines 8th largest number of international students in Australia
The Philippines is the 8th largest contributor of international students in Australia, after China, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Brazil, Malaysia and Colombia. There were a total of 517,519 international students in Australia in January 2020, a growth of 8% from 2019. There would have also been an influx of students after January which brought the total in Australia to 565,000, as stated in a Press Release from Home Affairs Minister, Hon. Alan Tudge MP.
Filipino student numbers in each state
New South Wales
The largest number of Filipino international students is in New South Wales, with a total of 5,402.
Victoria
As of January 2020, there were a total of 4,076 Filipino international students in Victoria.
This graph shows the breakdown of countries which international student visa holders come from in Victoria:
Other states and territories:
- Queensland – 2,824
- Western Australia – 798
- South Australia – 653
- Northern Territory – 201
- Australian Capital Territory – 135
- Tasmania – 110
Press Release from Australian Government
On 4 April, the Hon. Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs released a press release on the Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/Coronavirus-and-Temporary-Visa-holders.aspx
For visa updates, students are advised to visit Department of Home Affairs and https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/
Advisory from the Philippine Embassy
On 1 April, the Philippine Embassy in Canberra has issued a Public Advisory for Filipino Students: https://www.philembassy.org.au/latest/advisory/public-advisory-for-filipino-students-in-australia
On 8 April, the Embassy announced a Philippine Airlines Special Flight from Melbourne to Manila on 17 April: https://philtimes.com.au/advisory-on-philippine-airlines-special-flight-to-manila/
Students may email their respective consular office for assistance:
- The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney: sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
- The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne: melbourne.pcg@dfa.gov.ph
- The Philippine Embassy in Canberra: cbrpe@philembassy.org.au
International students around Australia continue to campaign online for assistance from both the Australian & Philippine Governments.
The Philippine Consulate in Melbourne is welcoming emails from affected students, as Acting Consul General Anthony Mandap has stated, “we are documenting everything to strengthen our appeal for funds.”
Many students have lost jobs, want to go home
The coronavirus pandemic has led to a large number of international students around Australia in a difficult financial situation, as many have lost their jobs.
The Filipino-Australian Students Council of Victoria has reported 111 students in Melbourne that have lost jobs, based on their data collection, and this number continues to rise. The actual number of those who lost their jobs are believed to be significantly higher.
Many Filipino students who cannot financially sustain themselves over the next six months have considered returning back to the Philippines, as recommended by both the Philippine Embassy and the Australian government.
