Some 87,600 new foreign students began studies this year, which represents a 17 per cent increase on the previous year, The Australian reports.
The largest growth occurred in enrolments to vocational and technical colleges which were up 36 per cent. While university enrolments grew at a more modest rate of eight per cent.
Students from India and China continue to be the main countries responsible for the growth. However Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia continue to decline.