The Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates more than 43,000 international students arrived in May. An increase of 19,200 compared to the same time last year.
Universities Australia state provisional estimates indicate a further 51,390 students arrived in June.
Chief Executive of Universities Australia, Catriona Jackson said “Australia continues to benefit culturally, socially and economically from the arrival of new and returning students,”.
“The increase in student arrivals is another encouraging indication of Australia’s international education sector, worth $40 billion to the economy in 2019, recovering from COVID-19.” She said.
The latest data crunched by Alan Olsen of SPRE indicating The value of Education as an Export for Australia jumped 21% to $26.6 billion from 2021 to 2022 (TKN 10/7/23). These numbers will undoubtedly lift export revenue further but still away to go before getting back to the $40b.
International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) CEO Phil Honeywood says “International education stakeholders, particularly our education providers, are keen that we get back to pre-Covid enrolment levels. Afterall, Australia effectively lost two years of pipeline enrolments when our borders were closed.”
“However, issues such as accommodation shortage, students jumping into the Covid Recovery visa and quality concerns emanating from the previous uncapped work rights are now weighing on the sector. Combined Peak Body CEOs met recently to ensure that we are proactively working with the Albanese Government to gain common sense policy outcomes that will ensure our sustainability” he said.
