Singaporean student migration to Perth

Abstract

There has been an increase in the number of students migrating overseas to study. This paper looks at 3 factors which may affect Singaporean students’ decision to migrate to Australia upon completion of their studies in Perth: Singapore’s policy to increase the number of foreigners, thus resulting in a competition of land and job opportunities; Australia’s immigration policies which make migration easier; The cultural and social capital that Singaporean students acquire before and after going to Perth. It seeks to understand their decision through the push-pull model and the meanings that they have attached to the policies implemented by Singapore and Perth and cultural and social capital. Based on the interviews conducted, the model and the 3 chosen factors were not sufficient in explaining their decision. Instead, the biggest contributing factor to their decision was the perceived job opportunities which either Australia or Singapore offers.