Australian Strategy for International Education 2021 – 2030 | Submission to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment

International Education is a very valuable service export industry to Australia. Australian education providers offer a range of services to international students including school education, vocational training, higher education and English language tuition. Pre-pandemic, the industry was worth $37.5 billion to the Australian economy (2019-20)1. Even in the midst of a pandemic, international education is Australia’s fourth largest export due to offshore enrolments and online study continuing in 2020-21. In 2018, the United States was the most popular study destination for international students while Australia was the third most popular after the United Kingdom2. However, as the world continues to move to a new normal, Australia needs to approach international education as it does other valuable service export industries and remove barriers to growth while supporting its transition to a new post pandemic trading environment. The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent travel ban enacted by the Australian Government has meant the international education sector is facing an unprecedented crisis.