Australia has become the top study destination for Indian students, surpassing the United States, according to a global survey conducted in March 2025 by IDP Education. The survey found that 28% of Indian students selected Australia as their first choice, followed by the US at 22% and the UK at 21%. Canada saw a significant decline in preference, dropping to 13%, down 6% from March 2024.
Despite increased tuition and visa costs, Australia remains appealing due to its strong academic standards, extended post-study work opportunities through the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, and overall safety. According to Piyush Kumar, Regional Director at IDP Education, many Indian families view studying in Australia as a strategic long-term investment.
The findings are part of the Emerging Futures Seven report, which surveyed over 6,000 students worldwide, including 1,400 from India. The report showed that career prospects are the leading motivation behind students’ decisions to study abroad. Seventy-seven percent of Indian respondents said they were pursuing international education to advance their careers, and 70% highlighted access to work placements as the most important academic factor.
While the US continues to be valued for its educational quality, financial concerns remain a major issue. Sixty-six percent of Indian students listed cost and finances as their biggest worry, followed by visa-related challenges at 47%, housing at 43%, and managing work and study commitments at 39%.
Although academic reputation still matters—67% of students cited it as a reason for studying abroad—graduate employment outcomes have overtaken traditional indicators such as university rankings and faculty reputation as the primary measure of an institution’s value.
New Zealand saw a small increase in preference, rising to 5%, up by 3% from the previous year. Canada’s decline in popularity has been attributed to stricter visa regulations and higher living expenses, suggesting a shift in how students assess global study destinations.
