Research
Snapshot
September 2019
Explanatory notes for International Student Numbers 
There are a number of figures that can be used to describe the total number of international students studying in Australian institutions. This document seeks to clarify the criteria that apply to the different numbers used to describe the international student population and provide a consistent explanation for the numbers. The estimates are based on the latest available figures (which vary for particular groups) in 2018 for the full year.

*These students were studying on a student visa in Australia from January to December in 2018 (693,750) for all sectors – Higher Education, VET, Schools, ELICOS and Non-Award. (Note: there are more enrolments as a student can be enrolled in more than one course/ sector during the year).
# Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website – Estimated Number of Australian Scholarship Students (Australia Awards; Endeavour Scholarship & Fellowships and Research Training Program (RTP) – Department of Education data.