Douglas Olsen
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world, with 1 international student per 33.6 people in 2023 (786,891 students and 26.45 million residents). In 2023, international students represented an average of 26.7% of the student body population in Australian universities. Australia is a popular study-abroad destination for many reasons, including numerous scholarship opportunities, the ability to work while studying, and academic recognition. The majority of international students in Australia come from China, followed by India and Nepal. In 2018, 97% of international students chose to settle down in major cities, with New South Wales having the largest number of international students. Many international students wish to reside in Australia permanently, and the Australian government encourages foreign students to work and stay in regional areas through its immigration policy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students in Australia | 700,000+ |
| Number of international students enrolled in higher education institutions | 361,247 |
| Percentage of international students enrolled in undergraduate programs | 65% |
| Percentage of international students who stayed in Australia during COVID-19 | 65% |
| Top 5 countries of origin | China, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Philippines |
| Percentage of international students from the top 5 countries | 57% |
| Most popular field of education | Management and Commerce |
| Second most popular field of education | Information Technology |
| Most popular level of study | Master's degree (Coursework) |
| Second most popular level of study | Bachelor's degree |
| Percentage of international students enrolled in regional locations | 3% |
| Percentage of international students enrolled in major cities | 97% |
| Top regional center for international student enrolments | New South Wales |
| Number of international students in New South Wales | 333,913 |
| Percentage of international students in Australia who are male | 49.6% |
| Percentage of international students in Australia who are female | 50.4% |
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What You'll Learn
International students in Australia: 2023 statistics
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world. In 2023, there were 786,891 international students enrolled in educational programs in Australia, a 27% increase from the previous year. This number is expected to increase by 18% in 2024. As of December 2022, there were over 600,000 international students studying in Australia, with 361,247 enrolled solely in higher education institutions. The majority of international students (213,748) are enrolled in undergraduate programs.
International students in Australia come from various countries, with China being the most significant contributor. In 2023, China contributed 23% of international students, followed by India (17%), Nepal (8%), Vietnam (5%), and the Philippines (4%). These top five countries accounted for 57% of all international students in Australia. The majority of international students in all states and territories come from China, except for South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania, where India is the top source country, and the Northern Territory, which has the most students from Nepal.
In terms of regional distribution within Australia, most international students choose to settle in major cities. In 2018, 97% of international students opted for urban areas, while only 3% settled in regional locations. New South Wales had the highest number of international students, with up to 333,913 students in 2018, and it remains the region with the most international students as of December 2022, with a total of 244,193.
International students on a Student Visa (subclass 500) can stay in Australia for up to 5 years, depending on their enrolment. Approximately 400,000 overseas students are granted this visa each year. Many international students express a desire to reside in Australia permanently, and the country's immigration policies encourage foreign students to work and settle in regional areas. The presence of international students has a significant impact on Australia's demographics and contributes to its economy, with international education representing one of the country's largest exports.
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Percentage of international students in regional Australia
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world. In 2019, international students made up an average of 26.7% of the student body population in Australian universities. In 2023, 786,891 international students were enrolled in educational programs in Australia, a 27% increase from the previous year. In 2024, this number is expected to increase by 18%.
In 2018, 3% of international students enrolled in Australia stayed in regional locations, while 97% chose to settle down in major cities. All enrolments in Tasmania and the Northern Territory are considered as enrolled in regional areas. Queensland had the largest regional area proportion (5%), followed by New South Wales (1%) and Victoria (1%). China was the main source country for enrolments, contributing 24% of regional area enrolments. Nepal (7%) had the second-largest proportion of regional area enrolments, followed by Malaysia, South Korea, and the US, each contributing 3% to total regional enrolments.
International students make a substantial contribution to the development of many regional areas. In 2014-2015, international students spent approximately 3 billion on goods and services in Melbourne, while 900 million indirect value flowed to regional communities, significantly supporting agriculture. In the financial year of 2018, international students injected $31.9 billion into the Australian economy, directly boosting Australian jobs and wages, generating employment, supporting wages, and lifting living standards in Australia.
The current immigration policy published by the Australian government encourages foreign students to work and stay in regional areas by reducing the quota of skilled independent visa entrants and increasing the number of skilled regional provisional visas.
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Student visas and their duration
International students who wish to study in Australia must obtain a Student Visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows students to stay in Australia for the duration of their course, with multiple entries permitted. The visa application process typically takes around four weeks, and the visa fee costs AUD$2,000 unless exempt.
To apply for a student visa, students must provide a range of documentation, including a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course they plan to take. The CoE serves as proof of registration in the declared course and is issued by the chosen education provider in the form of a Letter of Offer. This letter outlines course details, enrolment conditions, and fees. Students must also demonstrate adequate financial resources to cover tuition, living expenses, and travel costs for the duration of their stay. Additionally, they must meet English language proficiency requirements and maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the full duration of their visa.
The processing time for student visas may vary, and applicants can check their status through the Department of Home Affairs' Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. This system also outlines work conditions for visa holders, including the maximum of 48 working hours per fortnight during study terms and semesters.
In recent years, Australia has experienced a significant increase in international student enrolments, with a forecasted 18% growth in 2024. International education is a valuable asset for the country, contributing over 5 billion AUD in 2018 and representing the highest ratio of international students per capita worldwide.
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Top countries of origin for international students
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world. In 2019, international students represented an average of 26.7% of the student body population in Australian universities. In 2023, 786,891 international students were enrolled in educational programs in Australia, a 27% increase from the previous year.
The latest statistics from December 2022 show that most international students in Australia come from China, with 156,217 students, followed by India, with 100,302 students. China, India, and Nepal were the top three international student contributors in 2018, with Brazil and Malaysia rounding out the top five. These five countries contributed 56% of Australia's total international student population. In 2023, 49.6% of international students enrolled in higher education institutions in Australia were male, while 50.4% were female.
In 2018, 3% of international students enrolled in Australia settled in regional locations, while 97% chose to live in major cities. New South Wales had the largest number of international students, with 244,193, followed by Queensland with 5%. China was the primary source country for regional area enrolments, contributing 24%. Nepal was second with 7%, followed by Malaysia, South Korea, and the US, each contributing 3%.
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Immigration policy for international students
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world, with international students making up an average of 26.7% of the student body population in Australian universities in 2019. International education is a significant export for Australia, and it influences the country's demographics, with a notable proportion of international students remaining in the country post-graduation on skill and employment visas.
International students in Australia must obtain a valid student visa, which determines their legal status for their stay. The Student Visa (subclass 500) permits students to stay in Australia for up to five years, depending on their enrolment. Around 400,000 overseas students are granted this visa annually. To obtain this visa, students must provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course and submit it to the Department of Home Affairs. They are also required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and prove their financial capacity to cover tuition, books, and living expenses.
The Australian government's current immigration policy encourages foreign students to work and settle in regional areas like Adelaide and Tasmania. This policy aims to reduce the quota of skilled independent visa entrants and increase the number of skilled regional (provisional) visas. In 2018, 3% of international students enrolled in Australia chose to stay in regional locations, while 97% opted for major cities. New South Wales had the highest number of international students, with up to 333,913.
International students in Australia primarily come from China, India, Nepal, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with China being the top contributor. In 2018, China contributed 24% of regional area enrolments, followed by Nepal with 7%. The most popular fields of education among international students are Management and Commerce, followed by Information Technology.
The Australian government has implemented additional measures to regulate international student visas. These include lifting English language requirements, introducing a genuine student test to prioritize students over workers, and granting new powers to suspend high-risk education providers from recruiting international students.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, China was the top source country for international students in Australia, with 156,217 students, followed by India, with 100,302 students. Combined, these two countries contributed 23% and 17% of international students in Australia, respectively.
The majority of international students in Australia, 213,748, are enrolled in undergraduate programs.
There are slightly more female international students (50.4%) than male (49.6%) enrolled in higher education institutions in Australia.
In 2018, 3% of international students enrolled in Australia stayed in regional locations, while 97% chose to settle down in major cities.
