MANILA, Philippines -- Australia is now accepting more foreign students, including Filipinos, who can contribute to the country's research capability, and develop international cultural, education, and economic linkages, an Australian migration agent said Thursday.

Howard Neil Donkin, of the Australian Philippine Training Migration Services Inc., said Australia has become more open to foreign students, including working students, over the past several years.

Citing Department of Immigration and Statistics, he said the number of foreign students in Australia has increased 46.53 percent, from 204,589 in 2002 to of 382,632 this year.

He said most of the foreign students are from China (93,387), India (65,377), and South Korea (27,341), which together account for 47 percent of the foreign student population in Australia.

Donkin said even the number of Filipino students in Australia has increased over the same six-year period, from 804 in 2002 to 1,946 to date.

However, he said, the number of Filipino students in Australia is only 0.5 percent of the foreign student population there.

"We can help student applicants who want to get student visas for Australian universities and vocational schools?Our pep talk intends to arm the Filipino people with enough knowledge so that they will not become a victim of false hope," Donkin said.

Parents who want to send their children to school in Australia, as well as students seeking to study there can attend his presentation from September 19 to 20 at the 3rd Floor, AMO Building, 92 New York Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City.

Donkin is a registered migration agent that could provide advice to students and parents on how to easily get Australian student visas. Australian laws require that people who give immigration advice be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority of Australia.

He said among the things that would-be foreign students to Australia need are:

* proof that they can afford their tuition, living costs (like accommodation, food, transportation, clothes) for the duration of their stay in Australia, school costs for children (if applicable), and travel costs to and from Australia.

* some student visa applicants need to prove that they have achieved a certain result in an approved English language test.

* those married with children may have their family members apply for student dependent visas.