general
In 2023, the Australian Department of Home Affairs processed over 577,000 student visa applications, a 30% increase from the previous year, while the QS World University Rankings 2027 placed nine Australian institutions in the global top 100, intensifying competition for international enrolments. Yet for the 68% of international students who reported experiencing significant stress during their first semester, according to the 2024 QS International Student Survey, the quality of post-arrival support—not just the visa letter—determines whether they persist to graduation. This article evaluates study-abroad agencies not on their ability to secure an offer, but on their **post-arrival service capabilities**: airport pickup, accommodation placement, orientation, and academic progress tracking. Using a structured scoring framework derived from Australian Education International (AEI) guidelines and consumer protection standards, we assess five major agency categories across 12 measurable dimensions, providing a data-backed tool for prospective students and their families.