Thiruvananthapuram: Gone are the days when an MBA or a beautician's course in any Australian educational institution would have fetched a dream

Sajan John, director of Melbourne-based Ind Aus Business Links Pty Ltd (INDAUS) which provides educational consultancy, told sources during a visit here that today a student who completes an MBA course would struggle to get a PR in Australia.

"There is a huge shortage of technically qualified manpower in the fields of painting, carpentry, brick laying (mason) and plumbing and electricians. Not only would one get a PR after a two-year course in any of these disciplines but also get a handsome monthly income," said John.

He said following the huge media publicity on the attacks against Indian students in Australia, the waiting period to get a student's visa has gone up from one month to two. Prior to a student visa being issued by the Australian Embassy in India, most of the students are called for a personal interview.

John came here early this month and is conducting a series of seminars across the state and in Chennai for prospective students migrating to Australia for studies. IANS