International education

How we can achieve our goals

Business opportunities

An important part of the sector is the wide variety of local businesses that provide services and potential employment to students from abroad, for example:

• accommodation providers hosting international students
• employers hiring students, during or at the end of their studies
• tourism businesses catering to students and their visiting families.

Even students who study or live outside the city make an important contribution. They are likely to spend time in Sydney enjoying our world-class attractions, shopping, restaurants and bars when they first arrive, or during their leisure time. Overseas students not only enjoy tourist attractions during their study, but studies suggest 20% to 40% travel to Australia as tourists before enrolling and 50% return within 5 years of graduation.

Similarly, the contribution of visiting friends and relatives was until recently unnoticed. In 2018, it was estimated 85,000 visiting friends and relatives spent 1.32 million nights visiting students who live in our local area contributing over $200 million. Additionally, 56,000 visiting friends and relatives of students studying or living outside our local area spent 1 million nights in our local area contributing approximately $150 million.

Enrolment patterns

More than 550 educational establishments in our area cater to international students, which can be divided into 4 major categories:

• Universities
• Schools
• Vocational education and training providers
• English language intensive courses for overseas students providers.

Across NSW universities make up the largest component of international students at about 46%, with most students studying at publicly funded institutions. The majority of private enrolments are at vocational and educational training and English language intensive courses for overseas students providers. There is roughly an even distribution of students between public and private enrolments at schools.