International Students
in Australia
Australia is an increasingly popular study destination with students from around the world wishing to gain a top-quality education. Each year more and more students take up courses in Australia and add to the already significant international student body around the country.
How many international students are studying in Australia?
As at year-to-date (YTD) March 2015, there were 413,032 enrolments by full-fee paying international students in Australia on a student visa. This represents an 11.5% increase on YTD March 2014 and compares with the average YTD March growth rate for enrolments of 4.7% per year over the preceding ten years.
There were 146,964 commencements in YTD March 2015, representing a 9.3% increase over YTD March 2014. This compares with the average YTD March growth rate for commencements of 5.3% per year over the preceding ten years. In YTD March 2015, the higher education sector had the largest share of enrolments (52.6%).
Enrolments and commencements increased by 10.1% and 9.4% over the same period in 2014. In YTD March 2015, post-graduate research commencements declined slightly by 0.7%, while other post-graduate commencements in higher education grew by 4.2% over the same period in 2014. Bachelor degree level commencements also increased, by 18.1%. The VET sector accounted for 22.5% of total enrolments. Enrolments in the sector increased by 15.5% and commencements grew by 13.4% on YTD March 2014 figures.
Asia contributed 87.6% of enrolments and 81.7% of commencements. By nationality, Pakistan,China and Vietnam had the largest shares of enrolments in schools, accounting for 49.7% and 9.6% respectively. Enrolments and commencements in the non-award courses (such as exchange and foundation programs) increased by 15.7% and 5.6% respectively. China (29.0%), USA (14.0%) and Brazil (11.1%) accounted for more enrolments in non-award courses than any other nationality. Commencements from China and the USA increased by 40.9% and 4.4% respectively and commencements from Brazil decreased by 19.4% on 2014 figures.
