Indian international students surpass Chinese student numbers at Australian universities

The number of Indian students attending university in Australia has increased at five times the rate of Chinese students in 2018.

Australia was home to 5,000 more Indian students than students of Chinese origin at the end of 2018. 

This information has been released by Australia’s Department of Home Affairs which predicts this trend will continue.

The Australian Home Affairs Department processed 12% more student visa applications from Indian students than Chinese students at the end of 2018. However in 2017, there were 26% more student applications from China than India.

The number of successful visa applications rose by 54% over the second half of last year compared to the same time period in 2017. There was a 3% decrease of Chinese visa approvals; the first decrease since reports begun in 2011.

It has been predicted that Australian universities enrolling more Indian students than those of Chinese nationality could benefit; Indian students are 50% more likely than Chinese students to embark on vocational studies.

It is predicted that Australian universities enrolling more Indian students than those of Chinese nationality could benefit; Indian students are 50% more likely than Chinese students to embark on vocational studies

This has also been predicted to damage Australian universities that undertake extensive research projects as they rely considerably on Chinese student enrolment.

The University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney sourced over 26% of their revenue last year from Chinese student fees. The universities of Melbourne, Monash, Queensland and Australian National universities are also dependent on Chinese student enrolment and their student fees.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that UNSW postponed a planned increase in foreign students’ English-language abilities. This has been linked to a decrease in the number of first-year international student applications. 

Ian Jacobs, UNSW Vice-Chancellor, stated that the report has been based on an internal ‘review process’ and was not reflective of the university policy.

Jacobs affirmed how ‘normal’ fluctuations in international student enrolment numbers were part of how the university sector runs. He assured that the entry standards and expectations of the university continue to be high.