Queensland’s international education sector posted decade-high growth in 2018–19 to inject AUD$5.38 billion into the state, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has shown.
According to ABS data, the value of international education and training rose 16% – a post-GFC benchmark for Queensland – in the 12 months to July 2019.
“We’re aggressively marketing Queensland throughout Asia and the sub-continent”
This eclipsed the state’s 8% average yearly increase over the last decade, and was better than both the 15% national increase and the 14% growth recorded by New South Wales, Australia’s largest international education market.
Trade and Investment Queensland’s Study Queensland team plays a key role in promoting Queensland’s world-class education and training to potential students around the world.
The state’s ministerial champion for international education Kate Jones said the sector was going from strength to strength, delivering benefits to students and communities across Queensland.
“Queensland is unique – one in three international students are enrolled outside Brisbane, which is great for communities right throughout our regions,” she said, adding that schools, colleges and universities aren’t the only ones to benefit.
“When students come to study in Queensland, the flow-on benefits are great. Our strategy to expand this sector, along with global demand for high-quality education, means student numbers will continue to grow in the future.”
While the region draws its highest numbers of international students from China and India, it is also seeing significant growth in emerging markets.
According to federal Department of Education figures for January–October 2019, the number of Colombian students enrolled in Queensland rose to 6,835 – up 19% on the same period the previous year, while the number of students from the Philippines more than doubled to 3,826.
“Queensland’s appeal is far-reaching on the international stage,” continued Jones.
“We’re aggressively marketing Queensland throughout Asia and the sub-continent to make sure our state is best placed to capitalise on the demand for education.”
