Filipinos advised to carefully manage expectations when migrating to Australia
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For many Filipinos, the "Australian Dream" is paved with world-class diplomas and the promise of a pathway to permanent residency. However, without a reality check, that dream can quickly turn into a financial and emotional gauntlet.
Jeffy Suana, a community social worker at the Australian Filipino Community Services in Melbourne, warns that while Australia offers a "wonderful" environment for international students, being under-informed is the greatest risk a migrant can take.
"It will really make a difference when you are informed," Suana said, as he outlined a survival guide for the thousands of Filipinos considering the move to the Land Down Under.
Informed migration
This initiative is part of a broader push by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to ensure that every Filipino’s overseas experience is safe, successful, and meaningful.
As the government agency mandated to promote the welfare of Filipinos abroad, the CFO’s mission extends beyond mere documentation.
The CFO also focuses on providing a "social shield" of information to Filipino emigrants.
By partnering with organizations like the Australian Filipino Community Services, the CFO fulfills its role in managing the "social cost" of migration by arming Filipino exchange students with ground information before they leave the country.
According to Suana, there are five pillars to consider when studying in Australia.
First is financial readiness. Suana notes that tuition for higher education typically range from 30,000 to 50,000 Australian dollars.
Beyond the classroom, students must account for the high cost of rent, food, and transportation. Most international students are now required to provide stringent financial statements to prove they can sustain themselves without relying solely on part-time work.
Second is not to believe that entering an academic program will lead to a permanent residency (PR) or citizenship.
He said prospective students often mistakenly believe that any degree is a golden ticket.
The CFO echoes this advice, encouraging Filipinos to verify course pathways through official university and government migration websites rather than relying on hearsay.
Suana also gave a critical warning regarding migration agents.
"Be aware that they are doing business with you," Suana said.
While agents often highlight the "shining testimonies," they may omit the grueling realities of the labor market and the cost of living. Independent research is the only way to counter biased sales pitches.
Suana also warned that the Australian society is not as "warm" or welcoming as the Philippines.
"Australian society is different. You rarely find people having a chit-chat along the road," he explained.
For a culture built on pakikipag-kapwa or pakikisama, the isolation of being "on your own" in Australia can lead to homesickness.
Success in Australia often depends on who you know.
Suana advised students to activate their networks—friends, relatives, or community groups—long before they land. These connections are the ones who help newcomers find apartments, navigate local transport, and secure job referrals.
The CFO’s involvement in sharing these insights reflects its strategic pivot toward proactive diaspora engagement.
By bridging the information gap, the Commission ensures that the "brain gain" the Philippines hopes for in the future starts with a well-prepared and protected student today.
As Suana noted, Australia is a land of opportunity, but only for those who arrive with their eyes wide open.
About the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), established under Batas Pambansa 79, is dedicated to the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. It is distinct from the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily addresses the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and other temporary migrants.
