New figures show Australia’s international vocational education and training (VET) student numbers are well up on this time last year, highlighting the sector’s quality.
The Australian Government data reveals that international VET student enrolments increased to almost 93,000 in the March 2015 quarter – a 15.5 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, welcomed the data and said the figures clearly show that Australia’s international VET sector is of the highest quality.
“The VET sector accounted for 22.5 per cent of all of Australia’s international student enrolments during first three months of 2015,” Senator Birmingham said.
“These figures clearly show that our already booming international VET sector continues to deliver the highest quality education and training, while providing a multi-million dollar economic benefit across Australia.
“Australia’s VET system is considered to be among the world’s best because it is based on well-defined standards which is why we attract so many international students, and there are growing opportunities for Australian VET providers to deliver skills training in overseas markets.
“The Government’s Draft National Strategy for International Education, which was released for consultation earlier this month, highlighted the critical role VET has on the overall spectrum of international education – Australia’s fourth largest export.
“These new international student numbers released today indicate that we are continuing to set the standard for other countries.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that all VET students, whether domestic or international, get a quality education that delivers skills related to real jobs.”
International student statistics are available at: www.internationaleducation.gov.au.
Written feedback on the Draft National Strategy for International Education can be submitted at: https://submissions.education.gov.au/forms/draft-national-strategy-for-international-education-public-consultation/pages/form.
Media contact: Caitlin Keage 0427 729 987