Statistics released by the Department of Education and Training show that Australia attracted almost 800,000 overseas enrolments last year. Some 44 per cent or 350,000 were in higher education, with people from China comprising 38 per cent of them.

Individual overseas student numbers grew 13 per cent to 624,000.

Summary of International Student Enrollment Data – Australia – 2017

In 2017, there were 799,371 enrolments generated by 624,001 full-fee paying international students in Australia on a student visa. This represents a 12.7% increase on 2016 and compares with an average annual enrolments growth rate of 4.4% per year over the preceding ten years.

There were 455,680 commencements (new enrolments) in 2017, representing a 10.9% increase on 2016 figures. This compares with the average annual commencements growth rate of 3.8% per year over the preceding ten years.

The higher education sector had the largest share of enrolments and commencements (43.8% and 32.9% respectively) in 2017. Enrolments and commencements in the sector increased by 14.7% and 14.3% respectively on 2016 figures.

China and India accounted for 38.2% and 15.5% respectively of enrolments by students in higher education.

Commencements in postgraduate research increased by 9.2% on 2016 figures, while other postgraduate commencements grew by 22.0%. Bachelor degree commencements grew by 7.8% over the same period.

The VET sector accounted for 27.2% of total enrolments and 30.2% of total commencements in 2017. Enrolments and commencements in the sector increased by 16.7% and 16.1% respectively. India contributed the largest share of enrolments (12.7%) and commencements (11.5%) in the sector.

China was the next largest source country for enrolments with 8.5%, followed by the Republic of Korea (8.1%) and Thailand (8.0%). The English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector accounted for 19.4% of total enrolments and 25.9% of total commencements in 2017. Enrolments and commencements grew by 3.4% and 2.9% respectively.

China was the largest ELICOS market in the period with 29.3% share of enrolments. Brazil with 11.7% was the second largest nationality for ELICOS enrolments followed by Colombia (8.3%) and Thailand (6.6%). In 2017, the schools sector accounted for 3.2% of total enrolments and 3.0% of total commencements. Enrolments and commencements in the sector grew by 10.7% and 9.0% respectively. Asia contributed 86.1% of enrolments and 80.9% of commencements.

By nationality, China contributed the largest share of enrolments at 52.6% followed by Vietnam (11.4%) and the Republic of Korea (4.7%). Enrolments and commencements in non-award courses (such as exchange and foundation programs) increased by 13.5% and 6.5% respectively. China (39.2%), the USA (13.0%) and the UK (4.3%) accounted for more enrolments in non-award courses than any other nationality. Commencements from China and the USA increased by 12.3% and 11.3% respectively, and commencements from the UK decreased by 3.7% on 2016 figures.

For more information and study in Australia contact our Qualified Education Agent Counsellor at info@australasiaeduconnect.com.au.

Sources:

• https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/australian-universities-report-record-foreign-enrolments
• https://internationaleducation.gov.au/research/international-student-data/pages/default.aspx