Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
    • 2022 Floods
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2025

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 6 April 2018

QUALITY CENTRAL TO AUSTRALIA'S INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SUCCESS STORY

International education contributed a record $32.2 billion to the Australian economy in 2017, the latest trade figures reveal.

Australia’s strong reputation for high-quality university education and research helped to deliver a 22 per cent lift on the $26.3 billion generated in 2016.

This is the largest annual growth since 2008.

The education of international students is Australia’s third largest export, behind only iron ore and coal.

Universities Australia Acting Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said Australia’s openness to the world and the outstanding quality of our university education and research had been crucial to that growth.

“International students are drawn to Australia because they know they’ll get a world-class education, global alumni networks, a great student experience and lifelong friendships with our country,” Ms Jackson said.

“Over the past decade, Australia’s world-class universities have added chapter after chapter to our international education success story. It’s in the interests of all Australians that this continues. That’s why we need to keep investing in the quality that brings students to our shores.”

“The income that Australia generates from educating international students directly supports jobs, wages and living standards across our country – but it’s worth so much more than dollars and cents.”

“Australians also get the benefit of the powerful personal, cultural, diplomatic and trade ties that are forged when students from other nations spend their formative years here,” she said.

The $32.2 billion includes:

  • $31.6 billion from education-related personal travel (i.e. international student tuition fees and living expenses);
  • $29 million from royalties on education;
  • $164 million education consultancy services;
  • $12 million from correspondence courses;
  • $299 million from education-related services through registered education institutions; and
  • $46 million in other educational services.
		array(5) {
  ["heading"]=>
  string(13) "Related Media"
  ["link-label"]=>
  string(13) "See All Media"
  ["type"]=>
  string(10) "media-item"
  ["taxonomy"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    object(WP_Term)#3018 (10) {
      ["term_id"]=>
      int(12)
      ["name"]=>
      string(13) "Media Release"
      ["slug"]=>
      string(13) "media-release"
      ["term_group"]=>
      int(0)
      ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
      int(12)
      ["taxonomy"]=>
      string(10) "media-type"
      ["description"]=>
      string(0) ""
      ["parent"]=>
      int(0)
      ["count"]=>
      int(826)
      ["filter"]=>
      string(3) "raw"
    }
  }
  ["use-separator"]=>
  bool(true)
}
	

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
30 May 2025

Visit to the United Kingdom and Brussels to advance skills and research partnerships

Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy will travel to the United Kingdom and Brussels next week to press Australia’s case for deeper international research and education partnerships that support national security, innovation and economic resilience.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
29 May 2025

New Universities Australia Chair and Board members confirmed

Griffith University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans was confirmed as the new Chair of Universities Australia (UA) at today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Read more
media-item
Media Release
28 May 2025

UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA WELCOMES NEW SHADOW MINISTERS

Universities Australia congratulates Senator Jonathon Duniam on his appointment as Shadow Minister for Education in the Coalition’s new shadow ministry.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2025
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

©2025
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2025
Authorised by J. Clark, Universities Australia, Canberra.
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index