Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills and Federal Member for McPherson, the Hon. Karen Andrews, has welcomed new figures revealing a strong increase in international students numbers in Australia.
“In Queensland, the number of international students rose by 8.7 per cent in 2016
with all universities recording an increase in their international numbers,
including Griffith and Bond on the Gold Coast,” Mrs Andrews said.
“Significantly, a survey of those students showed nine out of ten international students are
satisfied or very satisfied with their experience here.
“While our beaches and natural attractions are well known drawcards, education is
growing as a major attraction for the Gold Coast and a significant contributor
to our local economy,” Mrs Andrews said.
The survey also found a big jump of 11.6 per cent in the number of international
students coming here to study vocational education.
“As Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, this is terrific
recognition of our vocational education system and the quality of providers on
offer in Australia.”
China with 27.5 per cent, and India 11 per cent, topped the list of nationalities
among international VET students followed by the Republic of Korea and Thailand
each with 4.3 per cent and Vietnam 4.2 per cent.
The VET sector accounted for 26.3 per cent of total international student
enrolments and 28.9 per cent of commencements in Australian education.
“Encouragingly, the survey of international students in VET revealed 87 per cent believe their
education in Australia will lead to a job,” Assistant Minister Andrews said.
“This is a strong vote of confidence in our vocational education system in which more
than four million Australians are enrolled,” Minister Andrews said.
“The Turnbull Government is focused on raising the status of VET as a valued and desirable
pathway to a job and career.
“These new figures show it’s also growing as a valued Australian export and I am
confident that will continue.”