How are international students’ economic activities recorded in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ exports data?

All expenditure by international students studying in Australia is recorded as an export in the Balance of Payments statistics published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This includes expenditure on tuition fees, food, accommodation, local transport, health services, etc., by international students while in Australia. This expenditure contributed $50.5 billion to Australia’s exports in the 2023–24 financial year.

The classification as an export of expenditure by international students studying in Australia does not depend on how the students fund their expenditure in Australia. Some of the expenditure is funded from overseas sources. While it is not possible to be precise, ABS estimates suggest around a quarter of the expenditure (around $13 billion in the 2023–24 financial year) is funded by international students working in Australia for Australian employers.

This classification of international students’ expenditure is determined by international standards specified in the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments Manual and is widely adhered to across the globe. More information is available in the Australian Bureau of Statistics publications: Recording of International Students in the Balance of Payments and International Trade: Supplementary Information, Calendar Year.

What is an enrolment?​

The number of international students enrolled to study with a Victorian educational institution during a given period. Enrolments include both continuing and newly commencing students. Students may be enrolled in more than one course and will have both enrolments counted. Enrolments data do not represent the number of international students in Victoria or Australia or the number of student visas issued by the Australian Government.​

What is a commencement?​

The number of new international student enrolments beginning study in Victoria for the first time, at a new level of study, or at a new education provider and course level. This could be at the start of an academic year or semester. It is a measure of the inflow of new international students into Victorian educational institutions.

What is year-to-date enrolments and commencements?​

The running total of international student enrolments or commencements for the calendar year. For example, year-to-date enrolments to December 2024 is the total enrolments for each month from January 2024 to December 2024.

What is Higher Education, VET, ELICOS, Schools and Non-award?​

Higher Education refers to education provided by Victorian universities and non-university higher education providers (including private institutes and Government-owned TAFEs), delivering undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including Bachelor degrees, Master degrees and Doctoral degrees. Higher Education focuses on academic and professional disciplines.​

VET (Vocational Education and Training) refers to education provided by Victorian VET providers, including Government-owned TAFEs, dual-sector providers and private registered training organisations (RTOs), delivering qualifications from Certificate I to IV, Diploma to Advanced Diplomas. VET qualifications are practical and skills-based for specific trades, industries and occupations.​

ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) refers to courses designed to teach English to international students who are in Australia on a student visa.​

Schools refers to Victorian primary and secondary school education.

Non-award refers to a course or unit of study that does not lead to a formal qualification such as a degree, diploma or certificate. These courses are often taken for personal interest, professional development or to meet specific entry requirements for other courses. Non-award may include exchange programs, short courses, single units of study and foundational courses.

What is offshore primary student visa lodged?​

Offshore refers to international students who are outside of Australia when they lodge their student visa application with the intention to study in Australia. In contrast, onshore refers to international students who are already in Australia when they lodge their student visa application with the intention to study in Australia.

Primary student visa lodged refers to the number of applications for a student visa submitted by individuals intending to study with a Victorian educational institution. It distinguishes these applications from those lodged for accompanying family members, who are considered ‘secondary’ applicants under the primary visa holder’s application.

Where does the international student data come from?​

The Australian Government Department of Education publishes detailed international student data in monthly calendar year-to-date (YTD) and annual calendar year formats. More detailed data and information can be accessed through the Australian Government Department of Education’s International Education Data and Research.​

Where does the student visa data come from?​

The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs publishes detailed international student visa data in financial quarter and financial year formats. More detailed data and information can be accessed through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Student Visa Program.

Where can you find further information about these definitions?​

Further information on definitions related to enrolments, commencements and sectors can be accessed through the Australian Government Department of Education’s explanatory notes, and the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs for definitions of student visas.

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