International education is an Australian success story.
It enhances the international outlook of Australian universities, delivers strong benefits to the Australian economy—supporting local jobs and wages—and strengthens our soft diplomacy ties with the world.
International students choose Australia because we offer a high-quality university education, in one of the safest places in the world, with a great quality of life.
Since the first days of the Colombo Plan in the 1950s, international education has grown and evolved— Australia is now the third most popular destination in the world for international students.
Over these seven decades, Australian universities have deepened our global connections, enhancing our education and research programs by educating international students, research collaborations, and the exchange of students and staff.
At a glance
International education:
- is Australia’s second biggest export,
- is worth $48 billion to the Australian economy, and
- supports more than 250,000 jobs in the Australian economy.
