Overseas students 'concerned by employment prospects’

A lack of work experience opportunities and the strong Australian dollar is forcing some international students to re-think studying in Australia, some experts believe.

Vietnamese-born Catherine Nguyen says gaining industry experience is almost as important as the degree itself.

“For me, if I'm forced to go home without any work experience in Australia, I would feel that my degree has not been fulfilled as much as I would have wanted.”

Professor Jill Blackmore, from Deakin University, says students come to study in Australia with certain expectations that they will gain employment, “particularly if they come in a skill shortage area that is named by the federal government, but that isn't always the case.

The overseas student market is estimated to contribute around $15.7 billion to the Australian economy.