International student numbers in Australia up 2.6% annually

An unprecedented numbers of international students have moved to Australia this year to study, up 2.6% year on year, new data shows.

The figures from the Immigration Department reveal that almost 230,000 student visas were granted in the 2014/2015 financial year and even more are expected in the coming year.

Of the total student visas granted, some 21.9% were granted to Chinese students, while grants to students from India also remained high and the number of grants to students from South Korea, Brazil and Thailand also increased from previous years.

A new international student visa framework from 2016 should make it easier for students to make their applications and improve the process.

It is the fifth successive year of growth in international student numbers and comes at a time when the Australian government has been encouraging more overseas students to come to the country.

“This growth is a great outcome for Australia given the importance of international students to the Australian economy. It will enhance both our competitiveness in the international education market and improve integrity in visa processing,” said Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

Minister for Tourism and International Education, Richard Colbeck, said that the new data which demonstrates Australia’s ongoing success in the very competitive global education market.

“International education was worth over $18 billion to the Australian economy in 2014/2015, making it our fourth largest export earner by value and a major job creator. International students make a welcome contribution to the cultural richness of our education institutions and the wider Australian community,” he added.

Both Ministers acknowledged the Australian Government’s commitment to enhancing Australia’s global reputation for delivering a high quality study and living experience. Australia’s first national strategy for international education is being developed to provide a 10-year outlook for strengthening the sector further.

“The strategy puts student experience at the heart of all our efforts, to ensure our international education sector is adaptive, innovative and globally engaged, and highly attractive to modern learners,” Colbeck explained.

International students must have a valid visa for the duration of their studies in Australia. Most international students will need a student visa. However, visitor visas permit up to three months study and working holiday maker visas permit up to four months study.

Students can apply to have partners and dependent children under the age of 18 accompany them to Australia. These family members are known as secondary visa holders and are counted in student visa numbers. A parent or guardian seeking to accompany an international student to Australia may be eligible for a Student Guardian (subclass 580) visa.

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