Did you know Australia has the third highest number of international students in the world behind only the United Kingdom and the United States despite having a population of only 23 million? This isn’t surprising when you consider Australia has seven of the top 100 universities in the world! In fact, with over 22,000 courses across 1,100 institutions, Australia sits above the likes of Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, ranking eighth in the Universities 2012 U21 Ranking of National Higher Education Systems.

These are strong academic credentials, but our institutions are just as highly rated as the cities that house them around the country. Australia has five of the 30 best cities in the world for students based on student mix, affordability, quality of life, and employer activity – all important elements for students when choosing the best study destination. And with more than A$200 million provided by the Australian Government each year in international scholarships, we’re making it easier for you to come and experience the difference an Australian education can make to your future career opportunities.

Do you have a specific study area of interest? There is every chance Australia has you covered, with at least one Australian university in the top 50 worldwide across the study areas of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Life & Agricultural Sciences, Clinical Medicine & Pharmacy, and Physics.

Given this impressive education pedigree, it’s not surprising there are now more than 2.5 million former international students who have gone on to make a difference after studying in Australia. Some of these students are among the world’s finest minds. In fact, Australia has produced 15 Nobel prize laureates and every day over 1 billion people around the world rely on Australian discoveries and innovations – including penicillin, IVF, ultrasound, Wi-Fi, the Bionic Ear, cervical cancer vaccine and Black Box Flight Recorders – to make their lives, and the lives of others, better.

International students will face new English language testing in 2018 following an announcement by Education Minister Simon Birmingham in Hobart last Thursday.

A formal assessment by English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) will be required for entry into a tertiary course, replacing the current process where proof of passing isn’t necessary to begin a degree.

The motive behind the changes is to address the issue of students who struggle to engage in group assignments and class work due to a lack of English proficiency. Each student undertaking an ELICOS course will need to meet a minimum of 20 face-to-face contact hours per week and a teacher-to-student ratio of no more than 1:18.

“It is essential for those international students and for the domestic students who they ultimately study alongside in our universities, TAFEs or other education providers that they have the English language skills to succeed,” said Senator Birmingham.

Despite the majority of ELICOS students in 2016 (around 150,000) achieving strong results, the move is projected to strengthen Australia’s $28 billion international education sector.