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INDUSTRY PROFILES

Education Services


  • In 2004, almost 300,000 students were enrolled in NSW universities, including 67,000 international students.
  • In 2005, NSW exports of education related services were valued at almost $2.9 billion, up 100 per cent from 2000.
  • More than 500,000 people are enrolled in TAFE NSW courses.
  • 54 per cent of the NSW working age population has post-school qualifications, compared with 50 per cent for the rest of Australia.

NSW is a leading supplier of education services, both in national and regional markets. As well as the high standard of teaching and facilities, the State’s desirable quality of life, good climate, secure political environment, and comparatively low living and educational costs contribute to its attractiveness as a regional centre for education.

NSW's higher education facilities are world class, a fact recognised in The Times newspaper's world university rankings, published in October 2005. Four NSW universities placed in the world's top 100, led by the University of Sydney and the University of NSW. Universities in NSW have particular strengths in management and commerce, law, and economics. Additionally, all NSW universities offer information and communication technology courses.

In 2004, there were almost 300,000 domestic and overseas students enrolled in the State's 11 universities. Of this, around 67,000 international students (including offshore students) were enrolled in NSW universities, accounting for 29 per cent of the total number of international students studying in Australian institutions. Almost 88,000 of all students enrolled in NSW were undertaking postgraduate degrees in 2004. Many of these students are studying in universities located in regional NSW.

The export of education services is a significant and growing source of income for the State's economy. In 2005, NSW exports of education related services, including tuition fees and living expenses, were valued at almost $2.9 billion, up 100 per cent from 2000. NSW accounts for almost 40 per cent of Australia's education services exports.

The provision of education services to international students provides a number of benefits to NSW beyond the value of income to universities. Relationships with other countries and societies are built, participation in globalised knowledge creation takes place, and 'brain gains' occur as some students undertaking research choose to emigrate to NSW. Skilled migration is a vital component of the State's population and the Government's skill strategies for the future.

Australia is among the OECD's top five providers of education to international students. In 2005, the major source countries for international students enrolled onshore in Australian higher education institutions were China, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Demand from both China and India continues to grow strongly.

It is not only higher education in NSW that is sought by foreign students. According to Australian Education International (AEI) data, there were around 135,000 international students on student visas enrolled across the entire NSW education system (including universities, schools, and vocational education and training institutes) in 2005, representing 39 per cent of the national total.

TAFE NSW is the largest of all vocational education and training providers in Australia, and one of the largest in the world. It covers 10 institutes spanning 130 campuses across the State, and has over 500,000 people enrolled in courses. TAFE NSW has forged strong connections and partnerships with industry, and currently participates in over 300 TAFE-industry partnerships.

The high quality of NSW education institutions is reflected in the education levels of its residents. In 2005, there were almost 2.4 million people aged between 15 and 64 with post-school qualifications living in NSW, representing 54 per cent of the State's working age population. This compares with 50 per cent for the rest of Australia. Almost 940,000 of these people hold bachelor degrees or higher. And Australia is ranked first in the OECD for the percentage of its population of typical graduation age (49 per cent) completing university degrees.