Recently, the Australian Government announced a 12-month suspension on new applications for Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registrations and new course approvals through the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), the country’s national vocational education and training (VET) regulator. According to the media release, the temporary suspension is aimed at giving ASQA additional time to strengthen regulatory oversight and address integrity concerns within the international education sector, while continuing to process existing applications with greater scrutiny and rigour.

The move comes in response to findings from the 2023 Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System, which raised concerns about misconduct and weak regulatory practices in the VET sector. The reviews highlighted issues such as exploitative practices by unethical providers, poor compliance standards, and the misuse of student visa pathways, prompting the government to tighten regulations to better protect genuine international students. However, it notes that the suspension does not apply to new applications from public providers.

Commenting on the impact of the latest Australian regulatory measures on Indian students, Saurabh Arora, Founder and CEO of University Living, a platform assisting students pursuing education abroad, says India remains one of Australia’s largest international student markets. The immediate effect is likely to be reduced availability of private vocational providers along with increased scrutiny around admissions, documentation, and visa compliance. “For Indian students, this could shift to a greater preference for established universities and reputed vocational institutions with stronger compliance records,” he says.

Student pathways

However, these latest regulatory measures have also drawn attention to the growing interest among international students, including Indians, in exploring vocational education pathways across multiple countries abroad.

According to Mayank Gupta, Vice President at Leap, a study abroad platform, most Indian students consider vocational education and training options after Class 12 and typically complete the application process from India before travelling overseas. He explains that admissions, documentation, and visa procedures generally need to be finalised in advance. “The decision is often influenced by practical considerations such as affordability, employability, post-study work opportunities, Permanent Residency pathways, and whether the course aligns with genuine skills shortages in the destination country,” he says.

Mr. Gupta added that students are generally required to submit academic transcripts, passport documents, and English language proficiency scores such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Depending on the programme, institutions may also ask for Statements of Purpose (SOPs), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), portfolios, or additional test scores. Most institutions typically require Class 12 scores of around 60-70% along with IELTS scores between 5.5 and 6.0.

Changing perceptions

Mr. Arora, says there is a noticeable shift in the perception of vocational education, which is increasingly being viewed not as a secondary option, but as a strategic pathway for students seeking global exposure and job-ready skills. Citing developments in China, he points out that government data shows more than 70% of new frontline employees in modern manufacturing, strategic emerging industries, and modern services are graduates of vocational education institutions.

“At University Living, we are witnessing growing interest in vocational and applied-learning programmes as students increasingly prioritise practical skills, global exposure, and employability-focused education pathways aligned with evolving international job market demands,” Mr. Arora adds. According to him, Indian students are particularly exploring opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, logistics, construction, automotive technology, business operations, and renewable energy, where global demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.

Favourable destinations

Mr. Arora and Mr. Gupta say that while countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom continue to remain preferred destinations for vocational education among Indian students, recent policy changes related to international student intake caps and tighter visa regulations have prompted students to adopt a more informed and strategic approach towards studying abroad, including exploring alternative destinations.

According to Mr. Gupta, New Zealand is attracting students because of its Green List occupations, skills shortage sectors, practical learning approach, and post-study work opportunities linked to eligible courses. Canada remains a strong destination due to its well-established diploma ecosystem, co-op learning exposure, comparatively affordable tuition costs, multicultural environment, and Permanent Residency pathways through Provincial Nominee Programs and skilled trades. He notes that the United Kingdom can still be a viable option, particularly for students intending to use Higher National Certificates (HNCs) or Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) as pathways into bachelor’s degrees. However, for students considering VET as a direct route to employment or PR opportunities, the UK now requires more careful planning.

Mr. Arora further points out that countries such as Australia have developed flexible vocational ecosystems that enable students to transition between vocational and higher education pathways based on evolving career goals. He adds that Germany is witnessing growing interest among Indian students because of its affordable education system, strong apprenticeship culture, and rising demand for skilled professionals in sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and technical trades. Additionally, countries such as Ireland and Japan are gradually emerging as attractive destinations as well through specialised technical training programmes, scholarships, and labour market demand in sectors facing workforce shortages.