Queensland’s new international education strategy aims to double the number of international students studying in the state to over 190,000 by 2026.
The International Education and Training Strategy to Advance Queensland 2016-2026, launched this week, uses the target as a keystone to its broader goals of capturing 20% of the Australian market share, tripling the market value to A$7.5bn, and creating 6,800 jobs.
To achieve these ambitious goals, the strategy outlines 36 initiatives under the imperatives of promoting Queensland internationally, enhancing the student experience, strengthening regional gains and connecting sectors across the international education industry.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad stressed the importance of the student experience and regional growth imperatives during the launch.
“The strategy is about linking sectors, keeping students in Queensland and explaining ‘this is where I start and this is where I finish’”
“The goal of increased market share is not at all costs,” she said, continuing, “The strategy focuses on improved student experiences inside and outside the classroom.”
Australia’s international education sector has been growing year on year, and its exports revenue has been valued at $19.7bn.
With the funding, the strategy seeks to encourage Queensland’s regional providers to set and reach $2.4bn in economic contributions, $900m more than estimated by Deloitte’s report commissioned by Trade and Investment Queensland.
“[The strategy] is about linking sectors, keeping students in Queensland and explaining ‘this is where I start and this is where I finish’,” said Richard Brown, member of the strategy’s advisory group and managing director of BROWNS English School.
CEO of First Impressions Resources and advisory group member, Sue Freeman, added that offshore training initiatives also present opportunities for Queensland providers.
“The percentage of students who can afford to come to Queensland from emerging economies is quite small,” she told The PIE News. “The skills are important and importantly, industry wants those skills. Industry is looking for confidence that as they set up offshore, they can access skilling for their workforce.”
Additional targets for student satisfaction and sector engagement and satisfaction will be set in the coming months.
