Australia is a very popular destination for international students. According to Australian Education International (AEI), in 2007 enrolments grew 11 per cent to 27,462 and commencements grew 25 per cent to 14,092. This reversed the trend for low or negative growth experienced since 2004.

The two biggest markets for the schools sector in 2007 were China and South Korea, which together accounted for 62 per cent of all enrolments. China was the number one market with an enrolment growth of 19 per cent and a commencement growth of 44 per cent. Commencements from Korea and Vietnam continued to grow steadily while both commencements and enrolments from Hong Kong and Japan declined.

Commencements from Malaysia and Taiwan increased but declined from Thailand, Brazil and Indonesia. Germany was the only country (with more than 100 enrolments) with growth in both enrolments and commencements.

While international student enrolments and commencements increased in the majority of the states and territories, the majority (almost two-thirds) of enrolments were still in New South Wales and Victoria and almost a half were from China and Korea. South Australia had the next biggest growth rate in both enrolments (15 per cent on 2006) and commencements (23 per cent on 2006). Queensland remains third in enrolments and commencements.

Overall, 20,885 students enrolled for senior secondary education and 10,0680 commenced senior secondary studies; 3,889 enrolled for junior secondary education and 2,087 commenced junior secondary studies; and 2,6562 enrolled for primary school education and 1,325 commenced primary schooling.

Commencement growth was strong in both the government (up 25 per cent ot 8,522) and non-government sectors (up 26 per cent to 5,570). Almost two-thirds of enrolments were with a non-government provider with the strongest growth from Vietnem (53 per cent) and China (23 per cent). Growth in the government sector also came from Vietnam and China.

This data relates only to international students in Australia on a student visa. For more international student information see Studying in Australia and Study Requirements