7 Suggestions on how to find the best Education Consultant in Australia
After making the decision to come to Australia to study one of the first things international students need to do is decide which Education Agent they will use. There are literally thousands of them and each one will help students study in Australia. So, how do you find the best education consultant in Australia?
What makes a good Education Consultant?
First, we need to know what services a good education agent offers. I wrote a very informative article about this topic which I recommend you read before choosing an education agent. Some are very helpful and supportive while others only offer the basic services. Some examples of extras services include help with: opening a bank account; getting a TFN; writing a resume; purchasing a Sim card; getting an RSA, White Card; providing a mail service, providing airport pick up service; help finding accommodation etc.
REMEMBER, the Education Agent works for you! They receive between 10% – 40% in commission of the fees you pay to the Education provider so choose one that provides extra services.
My Recommended Australian Education Agents
If you would like to find out who my recommended Australian Education Consultants are then please follow this link and choose the city where you would like to study, I have done all the hard work for you.
Here are my 7 insightful suggestions on how to find the best Education Consultant in Australia:
- Ask for Recommendations: Ask for recommendations from others who have studied in Australia.
- Assess Services: Compare the services offered by various Education Agents to ensure they meet your needs.
- Compare Reviews: Compare reviews of different Education Agents to evaluate their reputation.
- Verify Accreditation: Confirm that your chosen agent is accredited to work in Australia.
- Talk to Agents directly: Have direct talks with various agents to find out how they can help you.
- Check Experience: Verify the agent’s experience in assisting students.
- Attend Educational Events: Participate in educational expos and fairs where you can interact with agents and gather information firsthand.
1. Ask for a recommendation to help find the best education consultant
One of the best ways to find a highly recommended Education Agent is to read the list I complied of education agents I recommend in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. I have written a brief description about each agent listing what extra services they offer and the reasons why I recommend each one. It is a great resource and will help make an informed decision.
Ask a friend
Asking a friend who has been through the process is a good way to get a recommendation for a good agent. BUT do more research than that. Trusting our friends is good however they may not be experts on all aspects of choosing a high quality Education Agent.
Ask for recommendations on community boards
Many online groups exist to assist international students in Australia. These groups feature advice and suggestions from individuals who have experienced moving to Australia for studying purposes. They offer helpful information regarding living, studying, contacting education agents, selecting schools, and choosing universities. Facebook serves as the primary platform for these groups. To start exploring, try searching for terms like ‘international students in Sydney’ or ‘Latinos en Brisbane’. These pages can be incredibly beneficial if you have any inquiries regarding life as an international student in Australia.
2. Assess Services
Compare the extra services each Education Agent Provides
What makes a good agent stand out from an average one are the extra services they provide. Every agent will be friendly – that’s part of their job. But what else can they do for you? Every agent will assist you with the visa process, help you choose an education provider, get a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE), obtain medical insurance, and so on. But what more can they offer? Keep in mind, the Education Agent works for you! They earn a commission of 10% – 40% from the fees you pay to the Education provider where you study. Good Education Agents may provide some or all of the following additional services:
- Airport pickup and arrival assistance
- Accommodation support
- Pre-Departure orientation
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- SIM card for your mobile phone
- Personal resume
- Bank account
- Ongoing help
- Social outings
Click here to read a great article I wrote on ‘What extra services a good agent offers’.
I am also working on a list that informs you about the extra services your education agent provides. This list includes only those agents with offices in the city because I believe having an agent based in the city is preferable. They have personal experience to share with you, and you can visit them in person if you need assistance. Check out the agents based in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
3. Compare Reviews
Compare the Education Agent’s Google and Facebook ratings
I recommend comparing reviews and ratings that other international students have given the Education Agent. It provides an insight into the experiences that they have had when dealing with the agent. I created a list of the Google and Facebook reviews of education agents that have an office in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Check it out and see what where your agent ranks.
4. Talk to Agents directly: find the best education consultant by talking with them
It’s important to connect personally with your education agent to build trust and understanding. This connection is valuable throughout your application process and while you’re studying in Australia. Talking directly with the agent allows you to ask for recommendations and hear success stories from other students, making the agent’s reputation more reliable. Discussing your individual needs helps the agent understand what you require and tailor their help accordingly. Checking how quickly the agent responds to your questions is crucial; a good agent should reply promptly. Also, when you talk directly with the agent, you can ask about the costs and understand their fees clearly. This transparency helps you make decisions based on your budget and preferences. Lastly, talking to the agent directly helps you understand the different services they offer, including guidance before you arrive and ongoing support during your studies.
Here are some questions you may want to ask the Education Agents:
- Have they personally lived in Australia?
- Have they lived in the city they are recommending?
- Why are they recommending the University, Language School, VET course?
- How many Education providers do they represent?
- What help are they offer you once you are in Australia?
- Do they help you in an emergency?
- Do they have contact information of past students who can provide feedback on their experiences?
- What are their fees and charges?
A good education agent will be able to answer all these questions and also provide most of the following extra services:
5. Verify Accreditation
Confirm your Agent is Accredited to operate in Australia
Checking if an education agent is accredited is really important, and it’s a requirement in Australia that they need to be accredited. This ensures they meet certain standards, so international students can trust their services. Accredited agents also know about the rules for studying in Australia, helping students avoid problems with visas, enrolment, and following the education laws. Being accredited, ensures that the rights and interests of international students are protected during the application and enrolment process.
Check that the agent you are dealing with (and not someone else at the agency) is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) as it is a requirement that your agent be a registered member of these organisations in order to offer you advice. Most agents are also members of Education Agents’ Association of Australia (EAA) or the International Student Education Agents Association.
6. Check Experience
Verify the agent’s experience in assisting students
If you want to find the best education consultant in Australia, it’s beneficial and prudent to consider their experience in the Australian education sector. Ideally, you’d want an agent with several years of experience, although everyone has to start somewhere. If your agent is relatively new to the field, it’s important to ensure that other agents at the same Education Agency have at least three years of experience. This way, even if the agent assisting you is less experienced, they can access accurate information with the support of their more experienced colleagues. Experience is very important as it ensures a comprehensive understanding of the Australian education system, accurate guidance on course selection, knowledge of visa processes, established relationships with institutions, insight into scholarship opportunities, awareness of cultural adaptation challenges, a network for accommodation assistance, guidance on work rights, and a proven track record of success in assisting international students.
7. Attend Educational Events
Participating in global educational expos and fairs provides international students with the chance to engage directly with education agents and gather relevant information. While many events are held in Australia, several take place worldwide, enhancing accessibility. These occasions facilitate face-to-face meetings with agents, establishing personal connections and enabling direct communication. With diverse agent options available, students can explore and find an agent that suits their needs. Assessing agent professionalism in person ensures a better understanding of reliability, while workshops and exclusive offers enhance knowledge and potential cost-saving opportunities
Additionally, these gatherings offer networking opportunities with representatives from Australian institutions, providing insights into academic offerings. Check out this very useful page listing Educational Expos by Australian schools in various countries around the world https://exhibitions.aeas.com.au/
