In addition to a general decline, there is evidence from commencement data to indicate that a significant fall in new enrolments across the education sector has already occurred in the Indian market. Commencements by Indian students for the year‐to‐date for June were 22,670, down by 13,300 or 37% over 2009 (year to June) levels of 35,970. This included a fall in higher education commencements of 1,898 students to 3,435, equal to 36% on the 2009 equivalent figure of 5,333. Of more concern is the 86% fall in ELICOS commencements – 950 students in 2010 versus 6,754 students in 2009. This is widely attributable to the negative press about attacks on Indian students in Australia, and changes in visa policy. .
