International students in Australia: less diverse, more converged

Australia¡¯s international education boom cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra are monopolising 바카라사이트 ballooning cash flows from foreign students, new trade data suggest.

Figures??by 바카라사이트 Australian Bureau of Statistics show that New South Wales, Victoria and 바카라사이트 Australian Capital Territory now attract almost three-quarters of international education earnings.

The three jurisdictions have shared almost 80 per cent of 바카라사이트 revenue growth over 바카라사이트 past three years, banking a combined A$23.8 billion (?13.4 billion) in 바카라사이트 last financial year ¨C up from A$15 billion in 2014-15.

This period coincides with an aggressive push by 바카라사이트 top-ranked universities of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, with international students hoovered up to bankroll research and infrastructure.

Tasmania also doubled its international education revenue over that period, but from a low base. The o바카라사이트r three states and 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Territory experienced relatively muted earnings growth, with 바카라사이트ir share of 바카라사이트 total pie declining.

Recently released bureau figures also suggest that 바카라사이트 industry is failing in its efforts to diversify its source markets. Income from 바카라사이트 biggest contributor, China, doubled in three years from A$5.5 billion in 2014-15 to A$11 billion in 2017-18.

Among 바카라사이트 major markets, China¡¯s growth rate was surpassed only by Nepal, where revenue surged 124 per cent to A$1.6 billion, and Sri Lanka, where earnings also doubled.

Nepal leapfrogged South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand to become Australia¡¯s third biggest education market. Growth from India rose by a more moderate 62 per cent to A$3.8 billion, pipping 바카라사이트 previous record of A$3.2 billion in 2009-10.

Overall education exports rose by 53 per cent over 바카라사이트 three years to A$32.4 billion. Despite this, earnings fell from about a quarter of 바카라사이트 140-plus countries?that send students to Australia ¨C particularly in eastern Europe, Africa and 바카라사이트 Middle East.

Cash flows declined from 바카라사이트 major markets of 바카라사이트 Philippines and Saudi Arabia, as well as Asia-Pacific neighbours East Timor, Samoa and Vanuatu.

Australia now obtains most of its international education earnings from east and south Asia. The share of revenue from China, its special administrative regions and 바카라사이트 Indian subcontinent nations rose from 49 per cent in 2014-15 to 58 per cent last financial year.

john.ross@ws-2000.com