Australia is renowned for a plethora of tourist attractions: beaches, koalas, kangaroos and stunning natural wonders.
But of all experiences that one can have from the great land down under, education is among the nation’s biggest prized possessions, economically speaking. Beyond being a holiday destination, Australia is a highly sought-after destination for international students wishing to excel in their academic career.
Australia’s Department of Education highlights that as of May 2025, the country had as many as 816,587 international student enrollments – an almost 20% increase from pre-COVID years. In fact, it’s the fourth largest export after iron ore, coal and natural gas, being valued at a staggering $51 billion AUD for the economy. Recent statistical insights highlighted that this number even consisted of 7,273 American students.
But what makes Australia highly sought after as the place for pursuing higher education? The world-class universities? Promising job markets? Or perhaps, the diverse communities residing in every state.
Here’s why we believe Australia will be a key force in shaping education in the future.
What Australia Has To Offer
World Class Education
For those who are looking for top-ranking universities, this is the first tick in the box for international students in Australia. Some of the best educational systems in the world are found in Australia, which drive towards a better focus on innovation, data-driven decision making, research and other industry-ready skills.
According to Gradstar Global, 9 Australian universities are positioned in the top 100 in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. Of the 43 institutions within the country, 38 are on the list overall. Advanced labs, world-class faculties and established industry networks are among the great things that make Australian universities so highly regarded in the global education industry.
STEM & Tech-Driven Learning
With technology terraforming society today, the global education industry is experiencing a shift towards more tech-driven learning and an increased demand for STEM-related fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) that can better equip students for the future.
This is where Australian universities shine. In the QS World University Rankings, Australian institutions also secured top positions in areas such as medicine, computer science, engineering and even life science, highlighting their competence in delivering education towards more complex but critical industries.
Availability of Financial Support
For international students planning on moving to Australia for their studies, they will find that opportunities for financial support are more available compared to other places.
Scholarships offered by the Australian government or directly by universities are helpful in reducing financial burdens such as tuition fees or even rent. Scholarship opportunities such as the Australia Awards scholarship programs, Australian Leadership Awards and or even smaller-scale funding grants provided by the universities can compensate for an inability to secure a student loan, if you aren’t a permanent resident or citizen.
Improved Job Succession Appeal
With Australian universities, you aren’t just being prepared to score high marks on your assignments and exams. While that’s great, you are also being prepared to be job-ready for the future after graduation.
Australian institutions widely promote Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This includes internships, placements or even real-life projects that are integrated into your courses. Experiences such as these can be helpful as they help you build real-life practical knowledge and skills, expand your networks and provide you with a competitive edge in gaining experience before you even finish your degree.
Relaxed & Vibrant Lifestyle Setting
For most of us, moving overseas for education also signifies something we are looking for – new experiences. Since most of the cities are found near the coast, many people either spend their free time at the beach or at a park to eat and chill with their friends and families.
Whether it’s embracing the strong cafe culture, going to an AFL or cricket game, visiting a zoo full of exotic wildlife or spending a Saturday on the beach, Australia’s diverse landscape provides lots of activities – you’ll never run out of fun things to do.
For those who value safety as a top priority, Australia is a nation where law enforcement is strong and people are encouraged to respect religious beliefs and the freedom of others. This includes freedom of speech and the opportunity to practice your own faith and find a community of it without fearing judgment, harm or any kind of abuse. The standard of living in the land down under is considerably higher compared to other countries. This is all thanks to the great strides taken to improve the quality of Australia’s transport sector, healthcare, education and infrastructure – all of which exceed the international average.
On top of the higher standards of living, Australia’s vibrant, friendly and thriving multicultural community is a welcoming scene for international students arriving for the first time, with almost a third of the population being born overseas. More than half a million students from 192 countries have chosen to study in Australia. Wherever you end up, whether it’s Griffith University in Queensland or perhaps Flinders all the way down in Adelaide, chances are you have a vibrant international student community around the corner that you can look forward to being a part of. Mixing with people from different backgrounds improves your cross-cultural skills and also provides a gateway for you to try different exotic cuisines.
So there you have it. Australia is leading the global education industry as a top preference for international students, and there are a variety of reasons why it’s highly favoured.
For those visiting Australia as an international student for the first time, there is so much you can look forward to: a world-class learning experience that will shape your ability to handle the future workforce, have a greater abundance of support, the opportunity of trying different activities and going places you’ve never fathomed before.
