Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
26th Feb 2020

Australia’s foreign enrolment up 10% in 2019

Full-year enrolment numbers for Australia reveal that the country’s foreign enrolment grew by just under 10% in 2019 (9.7% year-over-year). Total enrolment of visa-holding students reached 758,154, which reinforces Australia’s position as the world's second-leading study destination after only the United States. An accompanying analysis from the Australian Department of Education and Training (DET) adds that, “Commencements increased by 7.6% on 2018. This compares with the average annual commencements growth rate of 7.9% per year over the preceding five years.”

As the following chart reflects, the top five sending markets for Australia all grew last year, with India and Nepal driving much of the overall gains. Together, the top five senders accounted for nearly six in ten (57%) foreign students in Australia.

Year-over-year performance for Australia’s top five sending markets, 2018 and 2019. Source: Australia Department of Education and Training
Year-over-year performance for Australia’s top five sending markets, 2018 and 2019. Source: Australia Department of Education and Training

Outside of the top five senders, several emerging markets also saw notable gains, including Colombia (21,868 students in 2019, up 21.5% compared to the year before), Philippines (13,991 students, +90.8%), Pakistan (10,000 students, +26.5%), and Sri Lanka (8,065 students, +24.9%).

Growth by sector

As has been the case in recent years, the higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors accounted for most of the overall growth in 2019. This pattern is reflected in the following chart, which tracks commencements by sector over the past four years.

International student commencements by sector, 2016–2019. Source: Australia Department of Education and Training
International student commencements by sector, 2016–2019. Source: Australia Department of Education and Training

Overall, higher education numbers grew by 11% in 2019, and VET by 17%. ELICOS enrolment was essentially flat with +1% growth year-over-year, and both the schools and non-award sectors fell off in 2019 (-4% and -3% respectively).

Current context

That three in ten foreign students in Australia come from China will continue to raise questions about diversification and risk management for Australian educators this year, especially in light of the current Covid-19 outbreak and the extent to which it has disrupted mobility between China and Australia.

At this writing, on 26 February, a travel ban remains in place that prevents travel between the two countries. On 21 February, the ban was formally extended until 29 February. “Almost every student who is unable to enter Australia has now been contacted by their university,” said Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson on the news that the ban would be extended until at least the end of the month. “They’ve been offered support, reassurance and revised plans for this semester.”

“It’s too early to know the full financial impact on universities, and on the Australian economy more broadly,” she added. “A lot will depend on how long travel restrictions continue, and the mitigating effect of flexible study options.”

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • Language travel sector leaders call for a focus on value amid persistent discount pressure Read More
  • Canada: List of non-degree college programmes linked to post-study work rights has changed Read More
  • US administration revives proposal to limit terms of student visas Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Language travel sector leaders call for a focus on value amid persistent discount pressure A June 2025 forum convened by ALTO (Association of Language Travel Organisations) confirmed that price discounting in language...
Read more
Canada: List of non-degree college programmes linked to post-study work rights has changed The Canadian government is continuing its policy of linking eligibility for a post-study work permit (PGWP) – at...
Read more
US administration revives proposal to limit terms of student visas The Trump administration has given notice of a proposed rule change that seeks to limit the term for...
Read more
How have changes in policy settings impacted international student recruitment at Australian universities? Over the past couple of years, Australian universities have been operating within a policy framework that makes it...
Read more
New analysis sounds a note of caution for UK immigration reforms Within the UK’s higher education system, there are a group of institutions known as “Post-1992 universities”. The term...
Read more
The number of students in higher education abroad has more than tripled since the turn of the century The latest figures from UNESCO indicate continued strong growth in higher education enrolments globally. From the year 2000,...
Read more
US warns of expanded travel ban that could affect key African markets “The United States is considering restricting entry to citizens of an additional 36 countries in what would be...
Read more
Breaking: US resumes student visa processing On 18 June, the US State Department sent a cable to all US diplomatic posts abroad instructing them...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links