Numbers were largely unchanged on 2021 in the eight months to August, at 640 000 this year compared to 665 000 in ’21

But YTD commencements across the system were up, from 232 000 in ’21 to 289 000 this year. However compared to pre-pandemic 2019, starts were down 30 per cent.

Higher education starts this year are 126 000, up on 96 000 in ’21 and closing on 2019’s 157 000.

But China commencements in HE are down YTD, 42 000 this year against 48 000 last and 59 000 to August ’19.

In contrast, the number of commencing Indian HE students is strong, up from nearly 10 000 last year to 23 000 this, but thisw still substantially down on 35 000 in 2019.

In the Indian market the figure to watch is VET enrolments. It remains as was in the two previous pandemic years around 27 000 – significantly higher than 2019 (19 500).

As of August 1, 28 per cent of Chinese students enrolled in Australian institutions were not in Australia, compared to 3 per cent of Indians.