GSP provides opportunities for recruitment agents in the new WA agent incentive scheme

Have you heard about the recently launched International Education Agent Incentive Scheme?

It’s an initiative by the Western Australian government that provides additional commissions for agents (like you), whenever they recruit a student into any of the scheme’s participating institutions. You can only accept one payment per student, and you will receive your top-ups from us.

How can GSP help you claim WA agent incentives?

The Agent Incentive Scheme is a finite fund that the government pays to participating international education institutions, which the latter will then disburse to agents after a student they recruited has been confirmed as attending past the required confirmation date.

Many agents are set to benefit from this scheme. However, there is only a limited number of participating providers. GSP is offering agents the opportunity to participate in the new incentive scheme. Agents who help students enrol into our partner institutions (that are also participating in the scheme) will be able to receive the top-up commissions despite not having a direct agreement with these institutions.

By participating in the scheme through GSP, in addition to your commission, you will receive:

$500 (+GST) per student enrolled in one of WA’s five universities, and
$250 (+GST) per student for placements in WA schools, ELICOS or VET providers.

Currently, there are over 20 successful providers in the scheme and we expect many more to be added to this list, including all other universities in the coming weeks. The list includes two WA universities and many colleges and institutions, several of which are GSP partners, namely:

Curtin College
Edith Cowan University
Lead College
Lexis English Perth
Perth College of Business & Technology (PCBT)
Phoenix Academy
Sero Institute
Skills Australia Institute
Stanley College
TAFE International WA
The University of Western Australia

Why study in Western Australia?

The new incentive scheme will greatly benefit you whenever you help boost international enrolments in Western Australia. But what’s in it for your students? Apart from its reputable world-class education, Western Australia offers many more advantages to international students, and here’s why:

1. Western Australia has an impressive employment rate

WA’s job market is the best in the nation, boasting the lowest unemployment rate (3.4%) among all the states, based on the findings of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. According to Premier Mark McGowan, “Over the past year, Western Australia has created around 70,000 new full-time positions, with the strongest rate of growth in full-time employment on record.” For international students, this means that they will have many job opportunities should they pursue their careers in WA after they graduate. In addition, student visa holders can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week if they study in WA, allowing them to have more spending money and become active members of the community. There are plenty of part-time work opportunities for international students in the fields of administration, communications, hospitality, retail and tourism.

2. Perth is one of the most livable cities in Australia

With Perth’s excellent healthcare, infrastructure, education and investment opportunities – complemented by its modern, vibrant lifestyle and great geographic location – it’s no wonder that Perth has been consistently recognised as one of the most livable cities in the world since 2004. Its less crowded population results in less traffic congestion, contributing to maintaining the city’s pollution-free environment. Perth also boasts a low crime rate, making it a safe and secure place for international students. In addition, Perth’s community is welcoming and diverse – new international students will feel right at home once they move to the city. People of over 200 different nationalities live, work and study in WA, making it Australia’s cultural hotspot. WA is home to many cultural groups where international students can connect with other people from similar backgrounds and with similar interests. In Perth, you will also find art galleries and a variety of places for theatre, dance, music and, of course, food from different cultures.

3. Perth is the sunniest capital city in Australia

With an average of eight hours of sunlight per day all year round, Perth enjoys 147 sunny days and 121 partly sunny days annually – more than a third of the year— according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Perth is a paradise of warmth during winter and is the perfect place to soak up in pristine beaches in the summer. It’s not surprising to find international students relaxing and enjoying their semestral breaks at Lucky Bay, Cottesloe Beach and many more.

4. Greater Perth is the most affordable major capital in Australia

Despite offering one of the highest standards of living in the world, Perth remains more affordable than most major global study destinations. Deloitte Access Economics reports that the cost of living in Perth is the lowest among the four major Australian capital cities, with similar findings for comparison of major regional centres in each State. International students receive a 40% discount on all public transportation (and free for buses within Perth). According to McGowan, “In the current climate with international events impacting the cost of living globally, the Deloitte report shows that WA is in a very fortunate position, making us a very attractive State to live, study, and invest. Not only do we have one of the best performing economies but also significantly lower living costs than other major Australian cities.”

5. Students can add an extra year to their Temporary Graduate visa

By taking up a bachelor’s degree or above, international students in Western Australia can extend their Temporary Graduate visa, adding one year to their post-study work stream. The type of degree the student takes up affects their length of stay in WA:

Bachelor’s degree (including Honours): 2 years + 1 extra year
Masters degree (by coursework): 2 years + 1 extra year
Masters degree (by research): 3 years + 1 extra year
Doctorate: 4 years + 1 extra year

This additional year opens many opportunities for international students to find jobs and be far better equipped if they intend to apply for permanent residency in Australia. To learn more about the new Agent Incentive scheme and why your students should choose Western Australia, have a chat with our experts.