International student numbers

There was a 15.6 per cent increase in overseas student enrolments with Australian education providers in 2000 over 1999, from 162 865 to 188 277. This follows an increase of 7.5per cent in overseas student numbers between 1998 and 1999 and continues the long-term trend of growth experienced since fee-paying students began studying in Australia in the mid 1980s.

Continued strong growth in overseas student numbers during 2000 is largely due to increases in the numbers of students undertaking courses in Australian universities, both onshore and offshore, and with ELICOS providers. Enrolments in higher education courses have grown steadily over the period 1994 to 2000. The number of students undertaking ELICOS, vocational education and school courses, while affected by the Asian economic downturn, is now showing signs of recovery.

Overseas student numbers, 1994-2000

Student expenditure

During 2000 the estimated total amount of overseas student expenditure was $3,696 million, an increase of 18.3 per cent over the revised 1999 estimate of $3,123 million. (Figures for fees paid by overseas students on Australian courses delivered offshore are not included in the estimates). The 2000 expenditure estimate comprised $1,840 million (49.8 per cent) on fees that were paid directly to institutions and estimated expenditure of $1,856 million (50.2 per cent) on goods and services, including accommodation, food and transportation.

The majority of overseas students studying with an Australian education provider during 2000 continued to be from Asia (82.6 per cent), although the share of students from Asia dropped marginally from 84.8 per cent in 1999. The proportion of students from Europe, the Americas, and Africa increased, while the proportion of students from Oceania fell slightly.

Singapore is the leading provider of international students followed by Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia. China, Australia’s eighth ranked source country in 1999, grew substantially (68.7 per cent) in 2000, to be now ranked fifth. China is likely to be the leading provider of international students to Australia by 2002. Thailand and South Korea also recorded substantial growth (21.9 per cent and 19.2 per cent respectively) in this period. Indonesia was the only market in the top ten that declined in 2000 (down 6.8 per cent).

Comparison of student numbers for top 10 source countries, 1998-2000

Distribution by state/territory

In relative order, New South Wales enrolled the largest number of international students in 2000, followed by Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

In 2000, 57.2 per cent of international students enrolled with an Australian education provider undertook a higher education course, up from 55.5 per cent in 1999. The proportion of international students studying at Australian universities offshore increased from 18.1 per cent in 1999 to 18.5 per cent in 2000 while the proportion studying onshore rose from 37.4 per cent to 38.6 per cent.

The ELICOS sector was the next largest, with 19.5 per cent, up from 17.9 per cent in 1999. The proportion in the school education sector decreased from 8.4 per cent in 1999 to 7.0 per cent in 2000. The proportion of students in the vocational education sector decreased from 18.2 per cent in 1999 to 16.3 per cent in 2000.

Between 1999 and 2000 the number of international students studying within the higher education sector increased by 19.1 per cent from 90 395 to 107 622. Most of this growth occurred in the onshore component of higher education. The ELICOS sector increased in 2000 by 25.8 per cent over 1999 to 36 767. The vocational education sector grew by 3.9 per cent (to 30 759) in 2000 after recording a decrease of 1.1 per cent between 1998 and 1999. The school education sector declined in 2000 by 3.8 per cent (to 13 129) compared to 1999.

Number of overseas students by major sector, 1994-2000

Competitor countries

Australia is a major provider of international education and training services, and continues to perform strongly against its major competitors. As Figure 9 indicates, in 2000 growth in Australia’s onshore higher education sector (at 19.4 per cent) was stronger than experienced by both the United States and the United Kingdom (which grew by 4.8 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively).

The most common field of study in which overseas higher education students were enrolled during 2000 was Business, Administration and Economics, which accounted for 49.8 per cent of all enrolments. The next most popular field of study within the higher education sector was Science, which accounted for 15.0 per cent of all enrolments. The majority of these students (72.3 per cent) undertook a Computer Science course.

The most popular field of study in the vocational education sector in 2000 was Business, Administration and Economics, which represented 58.0 per cent of all enrolments. Most of this study occurred with private sector vocational education providers. Another popular field of study within the vocational education sector was Science (21.4 per cent), with nearly all students in this category studying computer science (96.3 per cent).

It is estimated that, in 2000, approximately 27 450 students were enrolled in short-term ELICOS courses in Australia while visiting on a tourist or working holiday visa. This is up 13 per cent on the 1999 figure of 24 300. In the same period of time, ELICOS students with student visas increased by 25.8 per cent.

These students are in addition to the 36 767 students with a student visa, and on average stay in Australia for approximately 6 weeks, compared to those on student visas who stay around 27 weeks.

A full copy of Overseas Student Statistics 2000 (pdf 604kb) is available to download. Alternatively, you can purchase a hardcopy version of this report from the AEI Publications & Reports page.