Overseas students love Coast

INTERNATIONAL student numbers have soared by 15 per cent on the Gold Coast, beating the growth in all cities across the state on the back of the Commonwealth Games.

Research presented by Study Gold Coast CEO Alfred Slogrove to city councillors showcases the boom in the Coast’s education sector compared with other cities.

Growth in international student numbers in 2018 on the Coast was 15 per cent, against Brisbane and Logan (both 10 per cent) and the Sunshine Coast (4 per cent).

Toowoomba was flat, while Townsville fell 4 per cent, and Cairns dropped 9 per cent.

The Coast has 32,435 overseas students, while Brisbane has 91,996. The Sunshine Coast has fewer than 4000.

The biggest growth sectors were vocational education, followed by higher education and schools. Coast English language schools also continue to do well.

Study Gold Coast chair Rob Borbidge said: “The really good thing is the increase in Indian students … There is solid growth here, and I don’t think we can underestimate the influence of the Commonwealth Games.”

The report to council says almost 3000 students have visited the Gold Coast Student Hub so far in 2019, from Brazil, Japan, Columbia, Australia and Spain.

“The new kid on the block – and we’re keeping an eye on it – is Spain,” Mr Borbidge said.

Mr Borbidge acknowledged a key part of expanding the education sector was the future employment of students who widened the city’s skills base and helped boost tourism.

“Mum and dad might come over to visit. They might come over twice, and you have an increase in tourism numbers,” he said. “They might decide to buy an apartment. The flow-on impact … is massive.”