CFO warns unprepared Filipinos planning to move to Australia

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) on Wednesday urged Filipinos to stay well-informed and set realistic expectations when planning to study in Australia.

In a statement, the CFO said moving abroad unprepared could turn into a “financial and emotional gauntlet” for underinformed migrants pursuing the so-called “Australian Dream.”

Australian Filipino Community Services social worker Jeffy Suana said tuition for higher education in Australia typically ranges from AUD$30,000 to AUD$50,000 (about P1.25 million to P2.09 million), excluding other expenses such as rent, food, and transportation.

He also noted that academic programs are not “golden tickets” to permanent residency or citizenship.

According to Suana, Australian society may feel less socially open compared with the Philippines, and success often depends on building one’s own support network.

“Australian society is different. You rarely find people having a chit-chat along the road… It will really make a difference when you are informed,” Suana said.

The CFO advised Filipinos to verify their migration pathways and understand the realities of the societies they intend to move to, beyond the sales pitches of migration agents.

Among the agency’s programs for departing Filipinos are the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and the Peer Counseling Program (PCP), which prepare migrants for regulations, procedures, cultural differences, and other concerns they may encounter overseas.

The PDOS is intended for migrants aged 20 to 59, while the Peer Counseling Program is for those aged 13 to 19.—MCG, GMA Integrated News