For Sri Lankan students planning to study in Australia, choosing a university and securing a student visa are only part of the journey. From selecting the right course to settling into life overseas, having access to reliable guidance can make a significant difference particularly for students leaving home for the first time.

Speaking during an interview on studying in Australia, Jeewa Education’s Kolitha Fernando said students and parents should carefully assess an education consultancy before placing their future in its hands.

One of the first things families should consider, he said, is experience. Jeewa Education has spent 23 years assisting thousands of Sri Lankan students seeking higher education opportunities in Australia.

But experience should not be measured by the age of an organisation alone.

Fernando said parents and students should also examine the experience and training of the counsellors advising them. Jeewa’s team includes counsellors who have been trained within the organisation and have more than 10 years of experience.

Another important factor is the relationship an education consultancy has with universities and education providers.

Students should establish whether an agency works directly with the institutions it represents or through intermediaries. According to Fernando, Jeewa Education operates through direct agreements with the education providers it represents.

For families, these are important questions to ask before making what can be one of the biggest educational and financial decisions of their lives.

Support Should Not End with the Student Visa

Fernando also highlighted an area students sometimes overlook when selecting an education adviser: what happens after arriving in Australia.

“Our service does not end when a student visa is granted,” he said, stressing that students may require guidance throughout their education journey.

Jeewa maintains onshore offices in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, with its Perth office located on Adelaide Terrace. The offices are intended to provide students with a point of contact while they are living and studying in Australia.

That support can become particularly important when students encounter difficulties after arrival.

According to Fernando, students may need guidance on completing their studies within the expected timeframe, addressing concerns involving their institution or study pathway, finding accommodation or even assisting parents who wish to attend their graduation.

Questions about what happens after completing a degree can also arise. Fernando stressed that students considering options such as the Subclass 485 visa or other future visa pathways should obtain appropriate professional advice before making decisions.

For parents sending a son or daughter thousands of kilometres away from home, knowing that support is available in Australia can provide an additional level of reassurance.

Ultimately, Fernando’s advice to families is straightforward: do not choose an education consultancy based only on promises about admissions or visas.

Look at its track record, the experience of its counsellors, its direct relationships with education providers and, importantly, whether support continues once the student arrives overseas.

For students planning an Australian education, the right guidance should not simply help them get there. It should help them navigate the journey that follows.

Students and parents seeking further guidance on studying in Australia can contact:

Kolitha Fernando – Managing Director – Jeewa Education 076 855 9993 / 077 844 9993 / 076 555 9993