“International education is going from strength to strength,” Education Minister Simon Birmingham says.

There were 509 000 international students in Australia in February, up 12 per cent on the same month last year, according to new federal government figures, released this morning. All up the university market grew by 16 per cent and VET 15 per cent.

The China market stayed strong, with sector-total PRC starts up 6000 to 47000. There were 30 000 commencing university students from the PRC, up from 25 000 in ‘17.

Students from China made up 31 per cent of the market, more than twice, second placed India with 12 per cent. The next three markets Nepal, Malaysia and Vietnam combined generated 13 per cent of students. However Senator Birmingham points to strong growth in newer markets, Nepal (up 54%), Colombia (29%) and Brazil (27%).

“Australia is uniquely positioned to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive international education market, the minister says.