Tasmanian government schools have seen the biggest increase in international school enrollments in the country.
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Federal Education Department figures showed Tasmanian enrollments surged by 38 per cent, compared to the national growth of 15 per cent.
The government estimated the sector to be worth $211 million to the Tasmanian economy in 2015 to 2016, compared to $153 million the previous year.
TasTAFE saw an increase of 13 per cent in 2016, and data supplied by Austrade showed a 13 per cent growth in higher education enrollments at the University of Tasmania between 2015 and 2016 as well.
Acting Education Minister Vanessa Goodwin said the growth was bringing “financial and cross-cultural enrichment to our communities”.
“Tasmania has a proud history of attracting and supporting international students. While China is still the top source country for international students as the friendship between Tasmania and China strengthens, there are also students from other countries such as Japan, Thailand and India.”
Ms Goodwin said the state government’s 10-year partnership agreement with UTAS focused strongly on international education and an increased contribution to the economy.
“This will be an exciting weekend for our international university students, with the opening of the purpose-built Melville Street University of Tasmania student accommodation facilities, which will inject even more life into the growing mid-town area of Hobart.
“The government is working hard to market, recruit and promote education in Tasmanian government schools, TasTAFE and UTAS to create a strong and competitive international education brand for Tasmania.”
The upwards trend was seen nationally, with 554,179 full-fee paying international students in Australia in 2016.
Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the record student numbers made 2016 a “gangbuster” year for international education in Australia.
“The latest International Student Survey found 89 per cent of international tertiary students were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience in Australia and were continuing to sell the Australian education story when they returned home.”
International education is Australia's third largest export after iron ore and coal.
