Australia ranked third in top study abroad destinations with a total market value of over 5 billion AUD (3.47 billion USD) generated by international students in 2018. In 2023, 786,891 international students were enrolled in educational programs in Australia, which was 27% higher than the previous year. In 2024 this is forecasted to increase again by 18%. They come to gain a high-quality education, possibly immigrate, or to experience a different life. Each year, many new international students will enroll in Australian courses and add to the already significant international student body around the country.
Australia has the highest ratio of international students per capita in the world by a large margin. In 2019, international students represented an average 26.7% of the student body population in Australian universities. International education therefore represents one of the country's largest exports and has a pronounced influence on the country's demographics, with a significant proportion of international students remaining in Australia after graduation on various skill and employment visas.
Australia has by far the highest percentage of international students in the world, relative to total population, with 1 international student per 33.6 people in 2023 (786,891 students, 26.45 million residents). If the 18% growth seen in 2024 continues, this number will increase to 1 in 28.8 (3.48% of the population).
According to data released by the Departure of Education and Training of the Australian Government in 2023, China is the most significant source of international students to Australia. India had the second largest proportion of the enrollments, followed by Nepal, Colombia and Philippines.
All international students are required to obtain a valid student visa before they arrive in Australia. When students apply for their student visa through the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government, they need to submit the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and a compulsory English language proficiency test score to lodge their visa application. Also, each student visa applicant must prove that they have enough financial ability to pay for their tuition fees, books and daily living expenses while they study in Australia.
After the Australian government published the new immigration policy, international students are encouraged to study, work and stay in regional areas in Australia, such as Adelaide, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. In order to protect the local workforce, the Australian government intends to reduce the number of accepted migrants, and in the long-term, the government aims to set the cap of skilled immigration to about 160,000.
In 2023, according to the Department of Education of the Australian Government, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are the states attracting the largest portion of international students.
Definitions In Australia, a student is considered an international student if they are not an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or a holder of an Australian Permanent resident humanitarian visa.
Classification
By destinations Popular destinations The top 3 states in Australia for foreign enrolment in 2018 are listed below. +Top 3 states in Australia for foreign enrolment in 2018RankDestination StatesNumber of StudentsPer cent of Total1NSW / New South Wales333,91338.39%2VIC / Victoria278,97532.08%3QLD / Queensland134,31215.44%
Distribution of International Students in major cities and regional areas
In 2018, 3% of international students enrolled in Australia stayed in regional locations of Australia, while 97% of international students chose to settle down in major cities. All enrolments in Tasmania and the Northern Territory are considered as enrolled in regional areas.
New South Wales had the largest number of international students, up to 333,913. 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, which contributed 24% of regional area enrolments. Nepal (7%) had the second large proportion of the regional area enrolments, followed by Malaysia, South Korea and the US, all of which are contributed three per cent to total regional enrolments. +Distribution of international student enrolments in Australian capital and regional areas in 2018State / TerritoryShareEnrolmentsTotalMajor citiesRegional areaMajor citiesRegional areaNSW99%1%330,2243,689333,913VIC99%1%276,7332,242278,975QLD95%5%127,2607,052134,312WA100%0%51,59723351,830SA100%0%37,8709537,965ACT100%0%19,286 -19,286TAS -100% -10,79610,796NT -100% -2,6322,632Australia (Total)97%3%842,97026,739869,709
Top 10 regional centers for international student enrolments in 2018 are listed below. +Regional centers for international student enrolments in 2018State / TerritoryRegional centres20172018ShareGrowth in 2017TASHobart6,8629,39135%37%NTDarwin2,4622,62510%7%QLDCairns2,6752,4759% -7%QLDToowoomba2,0642,0388% -1%QLDTownsville1,9421,8607% -4%NSWRichmond - Tweed1,4421,5546%8%NSWNew England and North West1,3501,4275%6%TASLaunceston and North East1,3811,3895%1%VICBallarat1,0011,1994%20%VICGeelong4183231% -23%Other Locations2,6122,4589% -6%Total enrolments in regional areas24,20926,739100%10%
By sending countries and regions Top 20 countries and regions sending students to Australia in 2023 are listed below. +January- July 2023RankCountryNumber of StudentsPer cent of total1152,39521%2118,86917%359,1478%433,4945%529,9164%627,7644%724,2413%822,0543%921,2603%1019,1663%1115,7072%1214,9682%1313,2072%1412,2784%1510,5371%169,6401%179,6241%188,7281%196,8661%206,402Total616,26386%(Total out of 710,893 students in Australia during January to July in 2023)
Requirements
Student visa Generally, international students as citizens of other countries are required to obtain a valid student visa, which ascertains their legal status for staying in Australia. Students who have obtained the 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. In Australia, when students apply for their visa, they need to get the Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for each course and submit it to the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory for all overseas students. Each student visa applicant must prove that they have enough financial ability to pay for their tuition, books and daily living expenses while they study in Australia. Overseas students enrolled in an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS, offered by secondary schools) with a student visa are required to study full time (tourist and visitors to Australia can also participate in ELICOS study during their stay). +Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) Fees CategoryFee (AUD)Applicant2,500Spouse (Dependent)1,225Child (Dependent)400 These fees are payable when you submit your student visa application for Australia (Subclass 500). The amounts can change, so always check the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for the latest updates. +Overseas student visa grants, 1996–97 to 2014-15YearOverseas students1996-97113,0001997-98108,8271998-99110,8941999-00119,8062000-01146,5772001-02151,8942002-03162,5752003-04171,6162004-05174,7862005-06190,6742006-07230,8072007-08278,7152008-09319,6322009-10270,4992010-11250,4382011-12253,0462012-13259,2782013-14292,0602014-15299,540 On 1 July 2016, after a new Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) was implemented in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs of Australian Government introduced a new immigration risk framework to determine the amount of documents a student needs to submit with their application form, based on their country of citizenship and intended education provider.
According to the new released Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), foreign students are able to provide a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to meet the English language requirements for their student visa application. The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a piece of evidence to prove that the English language requirements for their course are equal to or higher than the requirements for a student visa. However, those foreign students who assessed at a higher immigration risk level will still need to attend an English language test and to provide evidence of their English language proficiency through one of the English tests accepted by Australia with an approved test score.
English language proficiency requirements International students who apply to study in Australia will need to meet English language proficiency requirements to obtain a valid student visa. Students must have taken the English language test in the last two years before they apply for a students visa, or the validity will expire.
English language proficiency evidence exemptions All international students will need to meet the English language proficiency requirements to gain entry into their course and receive a student visa.
Some international students are exempt from providing evidence of English language proficiency with their visa application if they satisfy one or more of the following requirements:
Students who are a citizen and passport holder of UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland. An applicant who is a Foreign Affairs or, Defence sponsored student or a Secondary Exchange Student (AASES). Students who have completed at least five years of study in one or more of the following countries: Australia, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, or Ireland. In last two years of applying for a student visa, students who have completed either the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or a course leading to a qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework at the Certificate IV or higher level in Australia. Students enrolled full time in school studies as a principal course (including secondary exchange programs), a registered postgraduate research or a standalone English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) program
All other students are required to provide evidence of English language proficiency (with a Confirmation of Enrolment(CoE) or a minimum ielts score for australia student visa).
Types of English Language Proficiency tests accepted in Australia There are five types of English language proficiency (ELP) tests accepted for student visa applications in Australia:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) *internet-based test (paper-based test is also accepted) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) Occupational English Test (OET)
Minimum English language proficiency test score required The requirements for English language proficiency tests scores will vary depending on the institution they choose, their country of citizenship and whether they are preparing to enrol in an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) course.
For student visa applicants, the minimum scores accepted for each test are listed in the table below.
for the international students who do not meet the English language test requirement, they are suggested to complete an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) to improve their English language skills.