Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, NET OVERSEAS MIGRATION AND AUSTRALIA'S POPULATION GROWTH

• In 2008-09, the net contribution of international students to the Australian population reached a record high of 122,400 students, contributing 27% of Australia's total population growth (453,200 persons) and 41% of Australia's total NOM estimate (299,900 persons) for the year.
• Student NOM is the net number of passengers travelling on student visas who contribute to net overseas migration. In 2008-09, there were 153,600 student NOM arrivals and 31,200 student NOM departures.
• Final 2008-09 data show that there was a net of 71,400 male student visa holders added to Australia's population in that year. In comparison, there was a smaller net of 51,000 female student visa holders.
• Victoria recorded the highest net contribution of international students in 2008-09 (43,600 persons), followed by New South Wales (40,400 persons) and Queensland (18,300 persons).
• Higher education and vocational education and training (VET) were the two top student visa subclasses contributing to NOM in 2008-09. Of the 122,400 students making a net contribution to NOM, 44% were travelling on higher education visas and 39% on VET visas. In 2004-05, 53% were on higher education and 11% on VET visas.
• For those travelling on student visas, people born in India and China were the main contributors to student NOM. Together they contributed around 50% or over for each year between 2004-05 and 2008-09.
• Recent data released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) show a large decline in the number of student visas granted in 2009-10 compared to 2008-09. DIAC granted 175,800 student visas in 2004-05 which increased to a record high of 319,600 in 2008-09. The number of visas granted in 2009-10 was 270,500.
• At 30 June 2010, there was a stock of 382,700 student visa holders residing in Australia, slightly lower than the stock at 30 June 2009 (386,300 students) and 83% higher than the stock at 30 June 2006 (209,200 students).