IDP Education Brisbane vs Mates International Brisbane

2026 comparison · Australia

IDP Education Brisbane

📍 Brisbane, Australia

No reviews yet

Est. 19696 destinationsFree (counselling); paid IELTS testing

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Mates International Brisbane

📍 Brisbane, Australia

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Est. 20141 destinationsAffordable

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Decision helper

Which is better for your situation?

🌍

Multiple countries

IDP Education Brisbane

6 study destinations vs 1

Broader reach

🏛️

Most experienced

IDP Education Brisbane

57 years in the market (est. 1969)

Longer track record

At a glance

	IDP Education Brisbane	Mates International Brisbane
Overall rating	—	—
Reviews	0	0
Location	Brisbane, Australia	Brisbane, Australia
Founded	1969	2014
Team size	20+	5–10
Fee range	Free (counselling); paid IELTS testing	Affordable
Destinations	6 countries	1 countries

Pros & cons

IDP Education Brisbane

✓ What students love

✓Australia's largest student placement service with 55+ years of experience
✓Free counselling for 800+ universities with post-enrollment student support in Brisbane
✓Authorised IELTS test centre — single location for test booking and admissions advice
✓Strong Queensland university network including UQ, QUT, and Griffith University
✓Multilingual team serving Brisbane's large South Asian and Southeast Asian student community

✗ Drawbacks

✗High volume operation — individual counsellors manage large caseloads
✗Commission structure may direct students toward high-revenue partner institutions
✗Personal service can feel impersonal compared to boutique consultancies

Mates International Brisbane

✓ What students love

✓Specialist in supporting international students who are already in Australia
✓Community-driven model — many staff are former international students themselves
✓Practical support for Brisbane students managing CoE conditions, course changes, and OSHC
✓Experience with student visa extensions and post-study work visa guidance in Queensland
✓Accessible, peer-to-peer service model that resonates with students in transition

✗ Drawbacks

✗Smaller boutique firm — limited capacity for complex migration law matters
✗Less suited to complex PR pathway planning or employer-sponsored visa advice
✗Limited brand recognition compared to major national consultancies

Study destinations

IDP Education Brisbane — 6 destinations

AustraliaUnited KingdomCanadaUSANew ZealandIreland

Mates International Brisbane — 1 destination

Australia

Best fit

Who should choose which?

Choose IDP Education Brisbane if…

IDP Education Brisbane

International students in Brisbane who need free university counselling, IELTS testing, institution transfer support, or post-study pathway advice from a globally-trusted provider.

Choose Mates International Brisbane if…

Mates International Brisbane

International students in Brisbane who need relatable, practical support from a team that understands the student experience — particularly for CoE management, OSHC, course changes, and post-study work visa guidance.

Ready to choose?

Read the full review for each consultancy or share your own experience.

IDP Education Brisbane review →Mates International Brisbane review →