Australia Education

International education is Australia’s fourth biggest export valued at $27 billion in 2019 covering higher education, Vocational and Training (VET) services, English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS), schools, and non-award.

Australia is home to 43 universities with at least one university main campus based in each state or territory. Australia is the eighth most popular destination for American students with around 8,250 American students in 2019 of which 2,600 were in higher education.

The Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors report indicates that Australia is among top sending countries to the United States ranking at number 30. In 2020, 4,982 Australians studied in the United States of which 50.1% were Undergraduate students, 21.7% Graduate, 17.7% Non-Degree, and 10% in Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Undergraduate Australian students tend to focus on liberal arts and sciences, business, international relations, film, or art. Graduate students generally pursue law, business management, or advanced sciences.

There is a broad academic and geographic distribution of Australians at U.S. universities. While the top receiving States are California, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Texas, Australian students are increasingly exploring other states to further their studies. Additionally, Australia has consistently ranked among the top senders of student-athletes to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 

The online education industry in Australia has a high potential for globalization as online course delivery removes national boundaries and allows for competition at a global level. The trend towards reskilling, upskilling and lifelong learning is also expected to support growth in this flexible method of study.