Opinion | Coronavirus to halve Australia’s international student numbers – and not just universities will feel it

A report by the Mitchell Institute found Australia will have 300,000 fewer international students by July 2021, affecting the wider economy

Student enrolments, especially from China, have declined – but Australia’s handling of the pandemic may also make it an attractive study destination

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International students from China walk in front of the Sydney Opera House. There are already over 210,000 fewer foreign students in Australia, and this number is expected to increase by the middle of next year. Photo: Reuters

Published: 6:00am, 11 Nov 2020Updated: 6:10am, 11 Nov 2020

The international student crisis in Australia is causing a population shock that is only going to get worse, a new report by the Mitchell Institute has found.

The education policy think tank estimates that more than 300,000 fewer international students – half the pre-coronavirus numbers – will be in Australia by July 2021 if travel restrictions remain in place. The pandemic has already cut the number of international students who would normally be in Australia by over 210,000.

The report, Coronavirus and International Students, uses the latest data to map the impacts on international student numbers across Australia’s cities.

Where are international students now?

Since the pandemic began, the Australian government has released data showing the location of international students inside and outside Australia.

The table below compares the figures from March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, and November 2020.

International students inside and outside Australia.

Opinion | Coronavirus to halve Australia’s international student numbers – and not just universities will feel it

A report by the Mitchell Institute found Australia will have 300,000 fewer international students by July 2021, affecting the wider economy Student enrolments, especially from China, have declined – but Australia’s handling of the pandemic may also make it an attractive study destination

A report by the Mitchell Institute found Australia will have 300,000 fewer international students by July 2021, affecting the wider economy

Student enrolments, especially from China, have declined – but Australia’s handling of the pandemic may also make it an attractive study destination