At schools like Australian International School (AIS), Vietnam, students are increasingly viewing Australia as a launch pad to global success — combining world-class education with proximity, value, and strong career pathways.
Australia is home to several of the world’s most elite universities. The University of Melbourne and UNSW sit firmly in the world top 20. The University of Sydney, Australian National University and Monash are in the global top 50 (QS World University Rankings 2026). Despite undergraduate programmes averaging around US$35,000 per year, lower than the US, a degree from any of these universities is one of the surest signals of career-readiness to employers. Melbourne, Sydney, and UNSW rank within the global top 50 in 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.
Across Vietnam and Korea, the return on investment of an Australian university degree is becoming clearer than ever. Vietnam is now a fast-growing source country, sending over 33,000 students abroad, while Korea remains an established source, with over 300 formal university partnerships linking the two countries. For decades, the US, UK, Canada, and parts of Europe were the most aspirational choices for the fast-growing middle class in both countries.
But with tuition at some US universities exceeding US$60,000 a year, along with stricter visa rules such as the F-1 visa limiting student work rights, what was once the #1 destination is now seen as more lacklustre. The thought of sending a child more than 20 hours away make parents hesitate even more.
Australia, with direct flights from Seoul and Ho Chi Minh City and high ROI, is emerging as a top-tier destination alongside the Ivy League, Oxbridge, and the Russell Group.
Melbourne and Sydney rank in the world’s top 10 student cities for their safety, quality of life, and strong employer networks. Families appreciate their proximity and accessibility as well – Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne, for example, is only 8.5 hours away by direct flight. Source: Australian International School, Vietnam
These global shifts are evident at the Australian International School (AIS), Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City. For many years, AIS graduates secured places in top universities across the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Today, a noticeable change has taken place. Among the graduating classes of 2024 and 2025, 36% selected Australia as their destination, particularly in Business, Science, and Engineering, where Australian institutions are world leaders. A significant portion of graduates (26%) also pursued opportunities in the US and Canada, with the remainder distributed across the UK, Europe, and Asia.
Counsellors at AIS have noticed the change first-hand. “We see more students putting Australia at the top of their lists,” says university counsellor Heather Julien. “Parents value the balance of global prestige and practical benefits — proximity, affordability and clear post-study work opportunities.”
Australian degrees open doors worldwide, with alumni building careers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, and North America, proving their global value. Source: Australian International School, Vietnam
Their observations confirm that parents are not simply considering Australia for convenience, but because of its standing as an academic and professional gateway. Part of this success is due to AIS’s IB Diploma Programme. Australian admissions officers highly value the IB, and AIS graduates consistently score above the world average. In 2024, the school achieved an average score of 35 points, with several students scoring 38 points or higher.
Marie Jeonghyeon Ahn scored 42 points in the IB and will be studying Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne. “AIS gave me the confidence to pursue science at the highest level,” she says. “Melbourne is a world top 20 university with outstanding biomedical research, and close enough for my family to remain connected with my journey.”
Another graduate, Kanna Washer, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Nursing at the University of Sydney. A 2024 alumna, Washer speaks fondly of her time at AIS, crediting the school for giving her both a strong academic foundation and lasting friendships. “At AIS, I was encouraged to explore my passion for Health Science,” she says. “Sydney offers academic excellence and strong industry connections — the perfect bridge between Asia and the wider world.”
As families weigh their options, visa and migration policies play a crucial role. The UK has recently tightened its post-study rules, reducing work rights and limiting dependents. By contrast, Australia has expanded enrolment capacity for 2026 and maintained the Temporary Graduate Visa. For parents who want clear and stable pathways for their children, these policies provide an added sense of security.
This trend is unfolding differently across the two countries. For Vietnamese families, the preference for Australia is rising quickly, with each year sending larger cohorts. For Korean families, the pathway is already familiar, with generations of students having established trust in Australian institutions. Together, they illustrate how Australia is consolidating its position as the destination for ambitious international students. As Ms. Julien, puts it: ““What excites me is that students are choosing Australia with confidence, not compromise. They see it as a launch pad to opportunities across Asia and beyond.”
Parents and students can experience this firsthand at AIS Saigon’s Open Day, where they can explore the campus, meet the faculty, and see how students thrive academically, creatively, and athletically — all while preparing for top universities globally.
Learn more about Australian International School, Vietnam.
Follow Australian International School, Vietnam, on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
