<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> recently welcomed residents into Uno and Duo, marking the completion of the penultimate stage of its $1.2 billion West Village precinct in Brisbane's West End.

There are only two opportunities remaining in the two-tower stage known as The Allere Collection. Duo is fully sold out, but two penthouses have just been released in the sister tower Uno.

The sprawling penthouses, measuring upward of nearly 350 sqm, have been designed by renowned architecture firm Rothelowman to focus on multi-generational living. One penthouse has four bedrooms, the other five, as well as several living areas. A second entry to the apartments make them ideal for those with several generations living under one roof, allowing for greater independence and flexibility within the same home, an increasingly sought-after feature among extended families looking to remain connected without compromising privacy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=5703]

Built by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, one of the best in the construction game, Duo forms part of a connected, pet-friendly vertical community that brings together two architecturally aligned towers with shared rooftop amenity.

Rothelowman Principal Jeff Brown previously described the design philosophy as centred on connection.

“When thinking of ways to nourish a soul one needs connection to self, to nature and to community,” Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

That ethos is expressed through Duo’s rooftop offering, which includes a pool and heated spa framed by mature planting, a private dining room and residents’ lounge, and BBQ facilities. On the lower levels, residents have access to&nbsp;work-from-home spaces, a workshop, and a pet parlour.

The rooftop captures views across the Brisbane River and back toward the city skyline, positioning it as both a retreat and a social anchor for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=364091]

Owners in Duo also have access to Uno’s rooftop amenities, effectively doubling the shared facilities within the community. At Uno, residents can use a second rooftop pool, additional private dining and entertaining areas, a teppanyaki grill, and the Paw Pavilion, an off-leash space designed for residents’ dogs. The reciprocal access reinforces the project’s “vertical neighbourhood” model, where common areas are intended to extend the footprint of each apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=5710]

The Allere Collection sits within West Village, a 2.6-hectare mixed-use precinct just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD. Delivered progressively since 2016 on the former Peters Ice Cream factory site, the masterplan now integrates heritage buildings, retail and dining, health and wellness providers, and open green space into an established inner-west address.

Sekisui has released the final stage of the development, Callista on Park, set to be completed in Q2 next year. With the first release now 95 per cent sold out, limited large-scale three- and four-bedroom residences remain, priced from $2.6 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=114215]

Joel Robinson

Allere Collection residents move in as multi-award winning West Village enters its final chapter

Construction is underway at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a>, the boutique residential development by <a>Excelon Projects</a> on Stephen Street in Yarraville, following the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/balmain-co">Balmain &amp; Co</a> as builder.

The milestone marks a significant step forward for the 53-residence project, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/six-degrees-architects">Six Degrees Architects</a> with landscape architecture by Simone Bliss Landscape Architects, conceived around a strong focus on community, craftsmanship and connection to nature.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/excelon-projects">Excelon Projects</a>’ vision brings together 41 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and 12 townhomes arranged around a central landscaped garden, prioritising liveability in a low-rise, low-density format.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297728]

Open-air corridors, a light-filled lobby and generous setbacks are intended to enhance day-to-day comfort while reinforcing the development’s community-oriented design approach.

Car parking has been located underground to prioritise shared green space and pedestrian movement through the site, allowing the landscaped garden to form the central organising element of the development.

Interiors incorporate custom pieces by Melbourne makers including leadlight pendants by Adadaz, hand-turned timber door handles by Auburn Woodturning, and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen, embedding a layer of local craftsmanship throughout the homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297736]

Sustainability has also informed the design approach, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating. Passive design measures such as cross-ventilation and thermal mass aim to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, while rooftop solar panels will supply power to common areas and harvested rainwater will be reused for landscape irrigation.

Positioned along the quiet, tree-lined Stephen Street, Yarraville Green sits between Yarraville and Seddon villages, placing residents within walking distance of cafés, dining, boutique retail and the Sun Theatre.

Seddon Station is also a short walk away, ideal for residents seeking an inner-west address with strong amenity and transport connections.

Completion of Yarraville Green is anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Balmain & Co appointed builder as construction begins at Excelon Projects’ Yarraville Green

A long-stalled Mermaid Beach development site opposite Pacific Fair, previously earmarked for a twin-tower project, is set for a fresh development push with plans for a major mixed-use residential tower.&nbsp;

Billionaire garbo Ian Malouf's development company, REMI Residences, is proposing Project Elegance, a 44-storey tower with over 270 residential apartments and 88 short-term accomodation units at&nbsp;2065 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, on the corner of Mermaid Avenue.

Malouf paid $23.76 million for the 3,783 sqm site in 2022, six years after it traded for $34.1 million when it was bought by Hubei United Investment Group.

 
<img alt="First Look: REMI Developments plans major mixed-use tower with 360 apartments at stalled Mermaid Beach site" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" data-widget="image" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Mermaid%20Beach%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=yRYSSPItvCA5ZeQ49LlwkQYVn7OhEqIC" /><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" draggable="true" height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />

&nbsp;

The design statement by DKO says Project Elegance "represents a holistic response to its coastal and urban context. It draws upon site, climate, and landscape to create a composed architectural outcome that prioritises occupant experience, public interface, and long-term viability via vibrant and active uses."

They say the subject site&nbsp;occupies a distinctive island parcel with three street frontages and prominent visual exposure to passing visitors.

"This unique position allows the development to form a panoramic dialogue with water and city, setting the foundation for a climate-responsive, site-specific architectural expression.&nbsp;The podium base, inspired by the region’s sandstone headlands and coastal setting, and adopts a sculpted and grounded character that provides a stable counterpoint to the slender tower above."

&nbsp;

<img alt="First Look: REMI Developments plans major mixed-use tower with 360 apartments at stalled Mermaid Beach site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f088e10-6493-49d4-83cd-10fc039318ac" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Mermaid%20Beach%20da%20tower.png?VersionId=Sbglj0tNBqyvY5V_DlVH.bvjXi8kBbfl" />

Residents and guests would have access to multiple communal recreation levels. Plans include a shared recreation deck on level six, with a pool and three padel courts. There will be a residential-only pool on level seven, and an upper-level communal space only accessible by those buyers towards the top of the tower.

&nbsp;

Ground-floor commercial spaces are proposed to operate between 5am and midnight, contributing to an activated street frontage along the busy Gold Coast Highway corridor.

The site sits within the High Density Residential zone and a Light Rail Urban Renewal Area, where planning policy encourages higher-density development close to transport infrastructure and services. The planning report states the project aims to “ensure the efficient reuse of this centrally located property” and support the transformation of inner-city areas into “more vibrant, compact, interesting, connected and active” precincts.

&nbsp;

The proposal marks the latest attempt to unlock the high-profile parcel, which previously carried approval for the “Elegance” twin-tower development, a project that included more than 500 apartments but ultimately stalled after sales activity ceased in 2019.

REMI Developments has been increasingly active in the Gold Coast property market, with the Malouf-led group positioning itself around premium residential and lifestyle-focused projects as the region continues to attract both interstate buyers and international interest.

Malouf is one of Australia's most impressive entrepreneurs, having sold his waste business fore more than $500 million, having started only with a small truck at 18 years old.

First Look: Billionaire Ian Malouf plans Mermaid Beach tower

A State Significant Development proposal from Ecove Group could see two high-rise residential towers developed above an ALDI-anchored retail podium in Gordon.

The 28-storey towers, dubbed Eight 10, would become the tallest in the sleepy Upper North Shore suburb, which has been stirred by changes to the Low to Mid-Rise Housing Policy aimed at triggering greater density around transport hubs.

Ecove Group’s plans for 810 Pacific Highway, a 2,357 sqm site around 400 metres from Gordon railway station, include 180 apartments, 39 of which would be dedicated as affordable housing.

Architecture firm PBD said in its Design Report the site "presents an exciting opportunity to positively contributes to the surrounding context, enhances the overall urban experience."

<img alt="First Look: Ecove lodges State Significant Development plans for dual-tower “Eight 10” project at 810 Pacific Highway, Gordon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e50141fa-fb0b-44b3-bf9b-c6d87b993c3b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Eight%2010%20podium.png?VersionId=YTgQPBxNnmQwr6x2AJSpVZ1COqa.9oLQ" />

The site previously received approval for a development comprising 56 apartments above retail in 2018.

PBD noted in its report that the planning&nbsp;context for the site has "evolved significantly since the original consent was issued."

In April 2024, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) identified the site as being located within a Transport Oriented Development (TOD) precinct. In parallel, Ku-ring-gai Council progressed a preferred planning framework for Gordon Town Centre, including proposed amendments to the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan 2015 (KLEP 2015).

<img alt="First Look: Ecove lodges State Significant Development plans for dual-tower “Eight 10” project at 810 Pacific Highway, Gordon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf65fb26-a163-41ea-a4d3-8ddbeabd67e4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Eight%2010%20MAP.png?VersionId=vrQJzXSg3xRH.APBmtth5mA2adPmUPjc" />

PBD said the proposed development "responds to the amended KLEP 2015 and, in addition, seeks to utilise the floor space ratio and height incentives available under Chapter 2, Part 2, Division 1 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021."

Late last year the first project in Gordon through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority was approved. That was for 106 apartments across two connected seven to eight-storey buildings.

Ecove plans 28-storey apartment towers in Gordon

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has set its sights on one of Brisbane’s scarce remaining riverfront development opportunities.

They have spent $17 million on an 810 sqm site across 16-18 Sandford Street, where it is planning SILK, a 15-storey apartment tower with just 22 apartments.

Planning documents outline a single tower designed to take advantage of the site’s northerly outlook toward the river and Brisbane CBD.

There will be eight two-bedrooms and 14 three-bedroom apartments on offer, each either half- or full-floor.

<img alt="Graya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="059e1aa4-695c-4556-bafa-e8b5970c06f5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-12%20at%203.07.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=tEqwv_m8HYhrXSCStOMFHvGZZ5WgKfEx" />

&nbsp;

According to the Town Planning Assessment, the proposal "showcases a high quality architectural and landscape design outcome that is enhanced by the amenity of the Brisbane River… and provides a subtropical design response that celebrates Brisbane’s climate and lifestyle.”

Ground level includes landscaped communal areas facing the river alongside a gym and outdoor garden space, while the rooftop terrace will feature multiple leisure amenities like swimming pools,&nbsp;dining and barbecue facilities, as well as outdoor relaxation and yoga spaces.

<img alt="Graya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="93982dbb-9f27-409b-a319-bd6f458f9ea7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-03-12%20at%203.09.05%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=gCaaW82pEBxMvXkVkEm4TC_o7_UXA82p" />

Architecturally, the tower form draws inspiration from the movement of water along the river edge. Design documentation describes the building as “a form sculpted by flow, shaped by shifting water,” with curved forms, varied materiality, and sculptural elements used to soften the building’s visual bulk. Sandstone, an iconic material throughout St Lucia, is reinterpreted through a mix of refined and split-face textures across the façade.

The Sandford Street frontage is intended to present an articulated façade featuring vertical landscaping and sculptural architectural elements, helping the tower integrate with the evolving high-density character of the riverfront strip while maintaining visual interest from both the street and river corridor.

Graya has continued to expands its footprint across South East Queensland, with projects under construction across both Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

GRAYA unveils plans for SILK in St Lucia

Chinese Students

<html><body>
EXPERT OBSERVER
<div>Net permanent and long-term arrivals sat at +299,670 over the year to October 2019, pointing towards strong ongoing population growth. </div>
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoVcdJyQ2XA/XfHkL_dhFYI/AAAAAAAAzVo/9GUyowwMG4A1DQCcZWrdwf39145Je7XWQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A1.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1408">
Short-term visitors
Short-term visitors from China and India have resumed their upwards trend.
<div class="separator"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7qFu0ddQ2o/XfHkL86i2nI/AAAAAAAAzVs/Cd8rwjftgcwYecBVKAWoeGc8RvnFiPRSwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A2.jpg" width="640" height="356" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1450"></div>
And, as previously noted here, study is a big drawcard, with a record number of temporary visas on issue for international students. 
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQvbHQFrvd8/XfHkMCCN9pI/AAAAAAAAzVw/4gdtFxjyrPgc0tzsu45ayYLUmnpJPj3igCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A3.jpg" width="640" height="366" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1378">
I've been watching with interest to see whether there's been more action from Hong Kong, but if there is it's not evident in short-term visitor figures. 
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wAXic8jXbrk/XfHlU0qq3yI/AAAAAAAAzWY/do9_wdhBCr0oYKVQ9c0e3cYfJ1ZQqTv-gCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A4.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1405">
The main beneficiary of the student trend looks likely to be Victoria.
<img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2NjM3Jt9CA/XfHkMxuilpI/AAAAAAAAzV4/7Z__muzy-gIdr0OZQN5hIgUK2uoQwoSkACNcBGAsYHQ/s640/A5.jpg" width="640" height="368" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1399">
Not much new here, except confirmation that more student visitors from Asia continue to come in record numbers, and that population growth looks likely to remain at around +1.6 per cent or thereabouts.
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>. 
</body></html>

pwargent-M4siyDbqQY

International student surge ramps up: Pete Wargent

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1819/Quick_Guides/OverseasStudents">about two in every five</a> international students enrolled in Australian higher education institutions were from mainland China. Across the education sector, Chinese students brought in <a href="https://www.austrade.gov.au/news/economic-analysis/chinese-education-exports-reach-10-billion">more than $A10 billion a year</a>. During the pandemic, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-coronavirus-outbreak-is-the-biggest-crisis-ever-to-hit-international-education-131138">Australian universities have struggled</a> to retain and recruit international students.
The <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/international-students-from-only-these-countries-will-be-returning-to-australia-in-2020">first returning students</a> are due to fly out under a pilot scheme this weekend, <a href="https://www.cdu.edu.au/international/cdu-charter-flight">arriving in Darwin on Monday</a>. But numbers are very limited due to quarantine requirements.
It’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-unis-do-need-international-students-and-must-choose-between-the-high-and-low-roads-149973">essential to recruit and retain</a> international students to sustain and develop Australian higher education. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-what-australian-universities-can-do-to-recover-from-the-loss-of-international-student-fees-139759">loss of international student fee revenue</a> has prompted universities to make <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-universities-face-losing-1-in-10-staff-covid-driven-cuts-create-4-key-risks-147007">large job cuts</a>. Many are expected to <a href="https://theconversation.com/without-international-students-australias-universities-will-downsize-and-some-might-collapse-altogether-132869">downsize. Some might collapse</a>.
Competition calls for proactive measures
Pilot schemes to bring back small numbers of international students to <a href="https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/cdu-first-university-australasia-welcome-back-international-students">Darwin</a>, <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/south-australia-s-covid-cluster-casts-shadow-on-pilot-plan-to-fly-back-international-students">Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6881882/international-students-unlikely-to-return-to-act-this-year-as-uc-vice-chancellor-officially-welcomed/">Canberra</a> were announced months ago. However, with <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/australia-to-delay-return-of-more-international-students-pm-scott-morrison">priority being given to quarantining returning Australians</a>, the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-14/nt-howard-springs-australian-repatriation-plans-coronavirus/12766352">students’ return was delayed</a>.
Australian universities also have other challenges to overcome.
The <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-the-australia-china-relationship-is-unravelling-faster-than-we-could-have-imagined-145836">unravelling relations</a> between Australia and China, if not managed well, may cast a dark shadow over educational exchanges.
Besides, Australia’s pilot plans are small in scale and slow in pace compared to its competitors. British universities such as Queens University Belfast and the University of Manchester have <a href="https://monitor.icef.com/2020/09/uk-universities-charter-flights-to-bring-international-students-back-to-campus/">chartered flights</a> to bring students from China back to campus. Canada <a href="https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/international-students-travel-canada-covid-19">re-opened its border</a> to all international students on October 20.
The Australian government and higher education sector must be more proactive to remain competitive in international education. Based on my experience as a teacher and researcher of Chinese international students, five approaches are worth considering.
Treat those who are here better
Perhaps somewhat counter-intuitively, <a href="https://theconversation.com/4-out-of-5-international-students-are-still-in-australia-how-we-treat-them-will-have-consequences-145099">a majority</a> of Australia’s international students remain onshore. The most direct and probably most efficient measure to attract more of these students is to treat those who are already here better.
Universities also have professional and moral obligations to look after students who could not return home to their loved ones. Many are far away from their support networks and unfamiliar with support arrangements in Australia.
Australia is very different from their home country in language, culture, values, governance and politics. COVID amplified the culture shocks and psychological pressures.
Despite being unable to travel due to border closures, international students know and <a href="https://theconversation.com/4-out-of-5-international-students-are-still-in-australia-how-we-treat-them-will-have-consequences-145099">often compare</a> how different countries are treating them. Their opinions, based on first-hand experience, can influence decisions on studying abroad by friends and relatives back home as well as members of their social networks.
According to my Chinese international students onshore, fee reductions, personalised care, Chinese-language support services and internship and work opportunities are among the best ways to win them over.
Integrate all students in virtual communities
It’s unlikely students now in China will be allowed to enter Australia en masse any time soon. Many universities continue educating these students through remote teaching and learning activities. However, as one Chinese international student said, her friend in China who attends classes on Zoom “<a href="https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-international-students-trying-to-understand-australia-from-afar">constantly feels lost</a>” due to the “lack of personal experiences [of Australia]”.
Universities need to do much more than providing extra study materials to download. To keep offshore students engaged, universities must ensure they remain full members of the class despite their physical absence. Ways to do this include deliberately mixing them with onshore students for peer mentoring and collective assignments.
<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0092055X16631126">Research</a> shows local students are much more likely to engage with international students when they can learn from them. And creating opportunities for international students to share their knowledge can empower them.
Help with cross-border travel
Remote education, if well designed, can keep some offshore students enrolled. However, as Monash University vice-chancellor <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/deadline-looms-for-universities-foreign-students-20200915-p55vwi">Margaret Gardner points out</a>, teaching online is “a stopgap, not a solution”, because students don’t “have the full experience”.
And students’ inability to travel is a source of <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-increases-risk-to-international-students-mental-health-australia-urgently-needs-to-step-up-137596">pressure and anxiety</a>.
Considering that both Australia and China have largely <a href="https://covid19.who.int/table">controlled the virus</a>, the time is ripe for planning a “travel bubble”. Making travel between the countries easier could win the favour of many Chinese students.
Send the right signals
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s “<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-03/coronavirus-pm-tells-international-students-time-to-go-to-home/12119568">go home</a>” message to international students in early April was widely regarded as selfish and unsympathetic in Chinese social media. The damaging effect of such remarks can outweigh other <a href="https://ministers.dese.gov.au/tehan/message-international-students">messages of solidarity</a> with these students.
The government’s decision in August to <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-09/chinese-scholars-have-visas-revoked-as-diplomatic-crisis-grows/12644022">revoke the visas</a> of two leading Australian studies experts from China also <a href="https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3101055/chinese-academics-australia-shocked-fear-chilling-effect-after">shocked</a> many Chinese-born academics and students in Australia. The lack of information, beyond citing security concerns, left room for <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/scholars-australia-china-espionage-spies-visas-threat/12744392">speculation</a> about whether broader anti-China politics was involved.
Chinese students will only enrol in Australian universities if they and their parents consider the country safe and comfortable to study and live. For Australia to remain a desired study destination, the government needs to send clear and consistent signals.
Embrace Australia’s multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is one of Australia’s finest achievements. Unfortunately, the pandemic has surfaced a degree of <a href="https://theconversation.com/garbage-and-cash-cows-temporary-migrants-describe-anguish-of-exclusion-and-racism-during-covid-19-146098">exclusion and racism towards temporary visa holders</a>, including international students. Anti-Chinese incidents prompted the Chinese government <a href="https://theconversation.com/students-in-china-heed-their-governments-warnings-against-studying-in-australia-141871">to warn</a> in June against studying in Australia.
Some Chinese students defended Australia as <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-love-australia-3-things-international-students-want-australians-to-know-139857">a safe and desirable study destination</a>. Still, many reported they <a href="https://theconversation.com/students-in-china-heed-their-governments-warnings-against-studying-in-australia-141871">would consider their government’s warning</a>.
Chinese-born communities, including international students, have greatly enriched the diversity of Australian society. Yet many policymakers and educators have long framed the need to engage with Asia and China along utilitarian lines such as creating jobs or bringing in money.
These discourses may unintentionally create a <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2020/september/ppi---multiculturalism-is-the-ultimate-case-for-teaching-and-learning-asian-languages-in-australia">status of otherness</a> for Australia’s Chinese-born communities. Many of my students have told me they believe the universities see them as cash cows. They, in turn, consider themselves more as customers than learners.
To get ahead in the increasingly competitive global education market, Australia should integrate international students more meaningfully into its society. Ultimately, making these students feel proud of their contribution to Australian multiculturalism is probably the most sustainable way to strengthen their bonds with their host country.
<hr>
This article has been edited to clarify that the $10 billion contribution to the economy of Chinese international students is across the education sector.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/148444/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yu-tao-325871">Yu Tao</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-western-australia-1067">University of Western Australia</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/5-ways-australia-can-get-ahead-in-attracting-and-retaining-chinese-international-students-148444">original article</a>.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

5 ways Australia can get ahead in attracting Chinese international students

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
Only 40 per cent of students in China who previously intended to study overseas still plan to, while just under 50 per cent of those who had studied overseas plan to return to their study after the borders reopen.
These are results from our unpublished survey of 1,012 students we conducted in China between June 5 and 15. We asked them whether they would continue with their plan to study abroad post COVID-19. 
These findings are not surprising. Due to growing tensions between China and the West – even before COVID-19 – middle-class parents in China had become increasingly concerned about the safety of, and possible discrimination against, their children abroad, including in the US and Australia.
The pandemic seems to have accelerated this trend.
<a href="https://theconversation.com/newsletter"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/320030/original/file-20200312-116261-a6ugi0.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=90&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2" alt="Sign up to The Conversation" width="100%"></a>
<h2>What students say about studying in Australia</h2>
Of the 1,012 students we surveyed, 404 had registered to study abroad in the next three years (in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore) and 608 had been studying overseas (including in Australia, US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Japan) before COVID-19 .
In the questionnaire, we presented interviewees with considerations and asked them to nominate which ones would influence their decision about whether to study in Australia after COVID-19, as well as in other countries.
The first group (group A) includes 304 students who had studied in Australia but who were not able to return due to travel restrictions.
Of these, 50 per cent were undergraduates, 42 per cent graduates, 5 per cent doctoral students, and 3 per cent vocational education or high school students.
The second group (group B) includes students who had never studied abroad before but had registered their intention to in the next three years, including in Australia, before COVID-19.
The second group also answered Australia-specific questions.
Not many students in either group considered issues such as more expensive air travel, less freedom in China and online lectures as critical factors influencing their decision to study in Australia.
But the two groups reacted to some factors quite differently. The students who had studied in Australia before considered the following factors as more critical to their decision:
<ul>
<li>
returnees with Australian degrees are not more competitive in China’s job market compared to graduates from top-tier universities in China
</li>
<li>
life is more convenient, safe and easier at home and I don’t want to go abroad to endure the hardship as a foreign student
</li>
<li>
improved political stability and economic prospects in China
</li>
<li>
less of a chance of landing a good job with an Australian degree in China
</li>
<li>
no need to go abroad if lectures are delivered online.
</li>
</ul>
The group of students who hadn’t yet studied in Australia but planned to, considered the following factors as critical:
<ul>
<li>
media reported cases of Chinese being “discriminated against” or “abused” in Australia
</li>
<li>
deterioration in Sino-Australia relations
</li>
<li>
not many outstanding returnees from Australia are visible in the media to represent the success of Australian education
</li>
<li>
Australian universities lowered the entry standard for foreign students due to COVID-19
</li>
<li>
Australian degrees are perceived to be less valuable compared to degrees from other English-speaking countries, especially the US and the UK, by HR personnel in China.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>What the students said</h2>
Not surprisingly, both groups considered the Chinese government’s warnings against visiting, or studying in, Australia important. A decision to study and live abroad is often made by the whole family in China. Official voices weigh significantly in such decisions.
A student who had done some of her master degree in a Melbourne university said:
After the Chinese New Year, Australian borders were closed to Chinese students due to COVID-19. Direct travel was not allowed. So I travelled to Thailand and spent 14 days in a small hotel in Bangkok before I landed in Melbourne. I had to be self-quarantined for 14 days in my rented room.
Then I found all lectures were moved online and the situation of COVID-19 became serious in Melbourne. The PM urged international students to go home. My parents were so worried. They paid for an over-priced air ticket and a quarantine-hotel in Shanghai for me for 14 days before I could go back to my hometown.
When the [Chinese] government announced the travel and study warnings, I couldn’t convince my parents that things aren’t that bad in Australia. They listened to the government and believed the ‘official voices’ rather than their own daughter.
There <a href="/news">have been cases</a> (though isolated ones) of Asians or Chinese people being bullied in Australia due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, social media in China <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/chinese-students-will-not-go-there-beijing-education-agents-warn-australia-20200610-p55151" target="_blank">often distorts such cases</a> and amplifies the (mis)perceptions. And the tensions between China and Australia have enhanced these negative perceptions.
Sending their children abroad was once a privilege for elites with intellectual, economic or political power in China. But this is now quite common among middle-class Chinese families.
Chinese families spend a large amount of money on their children’s education. Better opportunities (either in the host country or on returning home) after study abroad is an underlining reason Chinese families invest in their children.
Australia has attracted many Chinese students in recent decades. But if Chinese students with Australian degrees are less appreciated or less competitive compared to those who study in other countries or in local universities, families will look for other options.
A Chinese student who had been studying at a Sydney university told us:
We are the clients and the degrees are a commodity; we pay for our degrees. What if the commodity loses its value? The clients will surely walk away.
COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the number of Chinese students likely to study in Australia. But the downward trend started way before the pandemic.
Australian universities need to adjust their strategies for a future that will not only deliver value for Chinese students, but also strengthen a positive perception about this value.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/141871/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marina-yue-zhang-543587" target="_blank">Marina Yue Zhang</a>, Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767" target="_blank">Swinburne University of Technology</a>
This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/students-in-china-heed-their-governments-warnings-against-studying-in-australia-141871" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

Students in China heed government's warnings against studying in Australia

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVATION
In 2016-17 Australia’s third largest export, international education, leapt from A$23.6 billion to a record high of A$28 billion. Within the higher education sector, the highest intake of international students is of Chinese origin.
Behind these statistics are the individual stories and aspirations of Chinese students’ parents who provide them the financial resources and emotional support. Yet, we know so little about why it matters so much to their parents, and what long-term impacts overseas study has on them and their families when they return home.
Knowing what aspirations Chinese parents have for their children will help us understand what keeps our international education export industry vibrant today. And more importantly, sustainable tomorrow.
The shifting educational landscape in Shanghai-China
Focusing on a shifting landscape of education in Shanghai, I undertook a longitudinal pilot case-study of four bilingual kindergarten-secondary schools to investigate the aspirations Chinese middle-class parents have for their children’s education.
These schools are run privately. Their aim is to promote a dual stream model with a mission of implementing a bilingual “East-meets-West” education. Global competitiveness is driving the innovative change and quality of education in Shanghai.
In these schools, Chinese students are taught by local Chinese teachers in subjects like maths, Chinese language and values education. At the same time, they study a range of Western curriculum such as International Baccalaureate or General Certificate of Education at Advanced-Levels (the higher school certificate in the UK). These are co-taught by Western expatriate teachers and Chinese bilingual teachers, in subjects like English, arts, music, physical education, science and philosophy.
This emerging privatised education industry is a testament to how Shanghai-Chinese society is changing. By studying in such schools, their children can essentially opt out of the most stressful examination – the National University Entrance Examination (Gao Kao- 高考). In the eyes of Chinese middle-class parents, international education credentials open doors to the top jobs.
Under these circumstances, the provision of “international-local” school education has become the preferred choice for many Chinese middle-class families when it’s available and affordable to the local population.
In May this year, I went to Shanghai for a month to interview 46 Chinese middle-class parents whose children are attending such schools. Although they are from diverse educational and career backgrounds, a portion of these parents have overseas education credentials and are now doing well in Shanghai. There are also some whose close relatives or friends have either migrated or studied overseas.
A study from the UK of 652 Chinese international students after they returned home found the majority have experienced profound identity-transforming experiences with a renewed sense of self at home.
Today, Australia is an attractive destination for many Chinese students because of the ways the Australian international education system interacts with immigration policy. Not only will their children’s education at an Australian university be perceived as cultural capital for the family, they also want their children to gain post-study migration and employment opportunities.
‘Tiger’ or ‘chicken blood’ parents or neither
Students of Chinese ethnicity who are migrants in countries such as the UK and Australia are the highest performing ethnic group. Because of this, we are often led to believe it’s the high expectations Chinese parents have of their children that push them to perform well in schools.
But for some of these middle class Chinese parents I interviewed, who are successful in their educational experiences in China, they don’t want their children to have the same Chinese education they had. They want to avoid being parents of “chicken blood” (鸡血) – the Shanghai-Chinese term for demanding “tiger” mums or dads.
In their case, unlike what most research indicates about Chinese parenting styles, they want their children to have a broader worldview, to be fluent in English and Chinese, and still have a competitive edge over other local Chinese students without the stress of performing well academically.
Most of them have planned to send their children to study overseas because they did. Such attitudes and aspirations middle-class Chinese parents instil in their children make an important contribution to the continual influx of Chinese students to study in Western countries like Australia.
What next?
For Chinese international students who have returned home, they still aspire to provide a Western overseas education for their children. This is still significant in creating flexible citizenship for their child’s future.
For Australian international education, this means their children can potentially be second-generation international students. This is also why, for some of these middle class Chinese parents, the “East-meets-West” schooling system in Shanghai is a good option.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/97257/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">If Australia is to remain a destination for world-class education, we need to be far more self-reflective and long-sighted about what Australian international education offers: global citizenship and transnational mobility. We need to listen to the voices of an increasing middle-class in China.
Hannah Soong, Lecturer in Teacher Education Practice, School of Education, University of South Australia
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-we-know-about-why-chinese-students-come-to-australia-to-study-97257" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

What we know about why Chinese students come to Australia to study: Hannah Soong

<html><body>
A new report from Secret Agent claims states changes to the student visa rules saves Chinese parents $360,000 and could potentially reignite a property boom.
Secret Agent claim any rational Chinese parent will rethink whether studying locally or in Australia can provide a better education and quality of life for their kids. Here, the best primary school education costs half as much compared to China.
The report states according to Lianjia, a Chinese real estate website, it will cost on average RMB ¥9,588,378 or AUD$1,982,708 to buy a 110-130sqm 3 bedroom apartment in one of Beijing’s popular public primary school zones.
<a href="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.14.41%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.14.41%20AM.png" alt=""> 
 
"Studying abroad, such as in Australia, has been a popular choice among wealthy parents in China. In a major city like Beijing, exam attendance has halved in the past decade, from 126,000 in 2006 to 61,000 today. At the same time, the number of students studying abroad has increased dramatically. Now, the Australian government has made studying in this country $360,000 more attractive," the report said.
"The first thing that Chinese parents want to do is to send their kids to a good primary school, and to do this they have to live in the right school zone, just like how it works here. 
"Local students can study for free in these public primary schools. However, each intake is limited and parents must be able to afford the equivalent of a AUD$2 million apartment in the school zone. The other option is for parents to send their children to the more expensive private international schools, whose tuition fees on average cost AUD$43,648 (RMB¥211,080) per year in Beijing."
<a href="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.17.54%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.17.54%20AM.png" alt=""> 
The report said The Victorian government, for example, charges about AUD$10,660 (RMB¥51,552) for international students to study in a public primary school.
"Melbourne’s private schools charge on average AUD $23,744 annually. Chinese parents will end up with a 50 percent savings by sending their kids to the best private primary schools in Melbourne instead of Beijing’s international schools," Secret Agent said.
<a href="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.19.39%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.19.39%20AM.png" alt=""> 
"After comparing recent property sales in some of our top performing public primary school zones, it was found that it costs AUD$1,380,180 on average to buy a 656sqm house in Melbourne’s school zones, compared to AUD $1,982,708 (¥9,588,378) for an apartment in Beijing.
<a href="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.20.32%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.20.32%20AM.png" alt="">
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
"So how does the total savings add up to $360,000? The cost of living in Australia would also have to be taken into consideration. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection has financial requirements that must be met in order to receive a student visa, which is a minimum spend of $18,610 per adult and $6,515 per child for each year they live in Australia.
<a href="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.24.20%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/06/10/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-10%20at%2010.24.20%20AM.png" alt="">
"To calculate the total spendings for a Chinese parent and his or her child to reside and study in Australia, a 10% increase on tuition fees and 2.5% inflation on minimum living costs in Australia was assumed. The result is a staggering saving of AUD$359,788 if Chinese parents chose to send their children to Australia instead of Beijing for primary school studies.
"The majority of the savings comes from the difference in property price between Melbourne and Beijing’s school zones, and this also applies to other major cities in China. The Australian government’s intention for the new visa policy is to improve our economy by exporting our education to overseas students. In Secret Agent’s opinion, under the current FIRB rules, the price of properties in good school zones will continue to accelerate. We could also see prime inner city properties start to become acquisition targets. Many of these period homes have been "off limits" to the foreign purchaser. This may no longer be the case. 
"If Chinese parents choose to send their children here for their studies, they will be considered as a temporary resident since they will remain in Australia for a continuous period of more than 12 months. Generally, temporary residents can purchase any residential real estate in Australia once they apply for and receive foreign investment approval. The downside is that they will have to sell the property within three months from when it ceases to be their principal place of residence. This makes off- the-plan townhouses the most attractive purchase to Chinese buyers, as they are cheaper and require less maintenance than big established houses. They can also be kept as an investment property once they leave Australia."
For more information from Secret Agent, <a href="https://secretagent.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

Chinese parents to save $360,000 from new student visa

<html><body><div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
AC Property has earmarked the sales potential of student renters from China.
It suggests developers and agents can build a database of potential sales contacts that will buffer any property market downturn.
New research from <a href="https://www.acproperty.com.au/en/?australia_chinese_property_site" target="_blank">AC Property</a> shows that 56 percent of rental enquiries from these students request property purchasing information within seven months.
Esther Yong, director of AC Property said such figures suggest most Chinese student renters are already planning to buy a property when they first make a rental enquiry and she believes these rental enquiries may not only contain your next biggest sales lead, but could build a database that will ride you out while other investors wait for further policy changes before deciding their next move. 
"More foreign investment policies and lending restrictions have recently been imposed to deter foreigners from buying Australian properties, sparking concerns on property sales within the real estate industry," she said.
"One might expect this to result in slowing interest in property investment from overseas investors in the short term. However, let’s not forget the other groups of buyers who have stronger reasons to purchase properties in Australia, beyond building a wealthy portfolio – education and migration.
"While one might question their financial capability in purchasing properties, most Chinese students would still be receiving financial support from their families. Our survey shows that, a family will spend an average of $50,000 a year to support their studying child in Australia. Of these families, more than 85 percent are interested in receiving information about new development projects near their child’s university.
"Anecdotally, owning property, rather than renting, is also one of the highest priorities for a Chinese family.
"Therefore, It is not unusual to expect a well-financed Chinese student renter looking to buy shortly after they sign their rental contract."
</div>
</div>
</div></body></html>

Chinese Students

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Chinese Students

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News