International Student Numbers Soar to Record Levels; Experts Don’t Think It’ll Slow Down Anytime Soon

Education has been named Australia’s third largest export after iron ore and coal.

Figures from 2016 show there were 554,179 full-fee paying international students in Australia last year, the bulk of whom arrived from China and India.

SBS reports 43 per cent of international students are enrolled in higher education, while 26 per cent undertake vocational education, and 21 per cent in English language intensive courses.

“The benefits of international education flow through to sectors such as retail and tourism, supporting over 130,000 full time jobs across our major cities,” said Minister for Education Simon Birmingham.

Birmingham says the intake of international students has created opportunities for Australian students to gain exposure to people from more than 200 different countries.

“It’s hard to know if it will last forever, but there is no signs of it slowing down,” he shared.

The latest government report on international students found 89 per cent are happy with their overall experience in Australia. Although, many students who aren't aware of their rights in the workplace or housing market are left vulnerable to exploitation.