Education is a key driver of economic, cultural and social development, and an important determinant of international competitiveness. Australia has one of the highest enrolment ratios in the world. The latest data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation shows that in 2007 Australia’s enrolment ratio was higher than that of the United Kingdom, France, and all Asian countries except South Korea.

The OECD’s Education at a Glance 2008 publication noted that Australia had the highest entry rate for tertiary-type A education of all OECD member nations.¹ Additionally, 59% of Australia’s population of typical graduation age completed tertiary-type A degrees in 2006 – the second best result in the OECD (behind Iceland).

Universities, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges and other vocational education and training institutes are the main providers of formal tertiary education in Australia. There are 39 universities operating in Australia, with 11 of those based in New South Wales. In 2007, total student enrolment in Australia’s higher education institutions was more than 1,029,840, with New South Wales accounting for 321,574 or 31% of this figure. This compares with about 147,000 tertiary students in Singapore and 158,000 in Hong Kong SAR in 2007.