Australia hosting unprecedented numbers of international students

Students from China make up the largest proportion of students at 31 per cent, followed by India, Nepal, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Canberra: Australia is hosting unprecedented numbers of international students, who now make up more than a quarter of enrolments at some universities.

The number of international students in Australia has increased by 12 per cent this year as enrolment numbers continue to rise exponentially. Department of Education figures show that in February, Australian universities, private colleges, English language courses and schools registered a combined 542,054 enrolments. That compares with 305,534 total enrolments five years ago. Students from China make up the largest proportion of students at 31 per cent, followed by India, Nepal, Malaysia and Vietnam. But universities have been seeking to diversify their international student markets, and the latest figures show there have been big rises in the numbers of students from Brazil and Colombia.

Western Australia has even opened up a market for students from Bhutan, with almost 1000 students from that country enrolled in courses at WA institutions this year.

Grattan Institute higher education program director, Andrew Norton, said some universities were making huge profits out of the international student market.

“Because the Government has effectively capped the number of domestic students, international students are becoming an increasing percentage of all students,” Mr Norton said.

International students are concentrated in the larger Group of Eight universities and technology universities. “That means there are huge numbers of international students living in the inner cities of Australia’s big capitals,” Mr Norton said.

Chinese student Eva Li, 22, is studying finance at the University of Sydney. She said she chose the university because of its high international ranking.

“There are lots of Chinese students here, education is very high level,” Ms Li said.

“It’s not better than the good universities in America or England, but it’s also quite A grade. The teachers are very good.

“It’s a different type of education in Australia than in China. We have more chance to communicate with the teacher than in China. There are a lot of group works and it is not quite like this in China,” Ms Li.