Education
Education is now South Australia’s largest service export, cementing Adelaide’s position as an internationally recognised education centre and as Australia’s Learning City.
The South Australian Government – through its international education agency Education Adelaide – works with universities, private and public education providers and the Adelaide City Council to market Adelaide as Australia’s premier study destination.
This includes offering community support for students choosing to study in South Australia.
Overview
Adelaide attracted more than 23,300 overseas students in 2007, with the industry now worth $648 million to the local economy and supporting 3,000 full-time jobs. Over the past five years, Adelaide has outstripped the nation in the growth of overseas student numbers.
Factors contributing to this success include:
• A reputation for education excellence: Adelaide has produced more Nobel Laureates than any other city in Australia and is home to three world-renowned public universities – The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University. United States-based Carnegie Mellon University has also opened two schools in Adelaide.
• Affordability: Statistics from the Economist Intelligence Unit show that it costs 18% more to live in Sydney than Adelaide, while it costs 17% more to live in Melbourne and 6% more to live in Brisbane or Perth.
• Five bonus migration points: Students who choose South Australia as their study destination receive five bonus points when applying for a migration visa.
• Accessibility: Overseas students take up more than 30% of inner-city rental accommodation, enjoying a short walk to university. (A strategy is currently being developed by major stakeholders to increase the amount of student accommodation in the city.) And overseas students also receive the same public transport concessions as local students.
• A welcome reception: South Australia has a reputation for friendliness and Education Adelaide runs a year-long program of activities to ensure students feel welcome.
Attracting a growing number of students from across Australia and overseas, Adelaide provides significant opportunities for investors to develop and introduce innovative education and training programs across diverse fields.
Adelaide is keen to build its vocational training and education (VTE) sector. The Adelaide City Council offers a suite of benefits to private providers looking to open premises in the city. This includes feasibility support, site identification, technical and planning advice and promotional support.
Higher education
In 2007, more than 11,500 overseas students studied in South Australia’s highly ranked and awarded universities. The University of Adelaide and Flinders University are ranked in the The Times Higher Education Supplement and the Shanghai Jiao Tong (2007).
Leading US private university Carnegie Mellon established two Adelaide campuses in 2006, offering both Australian and US degrees in areas such as IT, government management, new media and entertainment. Carnegie Mellon is ranked in the Top 100 Universities, according to The Times.
South Australia has a growing defence industry and, as a result, this year welcomed UK-based Cranfield University. Cranfield University is one of the world’s leading post-graduate institutions, delivering masters level and professional courses supported by research in defence management, leadership and technology.
The University of Ballarat began operations in 2005 and offers undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Business Management and Information Technology.
The Higher Education sector in South Australia outperformed the nation in terms of overseas student number growth in 2007: 7.9% against a national rise of just 3.9%.
Vocational Training and Education
South Australia boasts excellent vocational training and education (VTE) through TAFESA (Technical and Further Education South Australia) and through its International College of Hotel Management (ICHM) and Le Cordon Bleu.
Adelaide offers the widest range of international hospitality and culinary qualifications in Australia. ICHM offers the lucrative Swiss Hotel Association Diploma in Hospitality Management while Le Cordon Bleu School is part of the world-renowned Parisian group offering under-graduate and post-graduate qualifications in gastronomy, hospitality and resort management.
Schools
South Australia also has an outstanding reputation and an excellent history of providing high-quality educational opportunities to overseas students of school age. For example, the State's International Baccalaureate (IB) program is the largest in Australia.
South Australia’s schools sector outperformed the national average during 2007, with an enrolment increase of 14.9% compared with a national decline of 11.7%. And Adelaide’s government schools also boast the most rigorous Homestay process in the country, so parents can be assured of high-quality pastoral care.
English language
With about 200 nationalities represented in Adelaide’s migrant community, the city enjoys a reputation for its welcoming and inclusive approach. Adelaide offers a wide range of English language programs through its universities, TAFESA, private colleges and secondary schools.
In 2007, South Australia’s English language enrolments increased by 19.9%.
Output
• Increase in overseas student from almost 5,600 in 1998 to over 23,300 by the end of 2007.
• 5.1% market share of Australia’s overseas students in 2007 (target market share: 9% by 2014), down from 5.4% in 2006.
Employment
A total of 54,825 people were employed in the education sector in February 2008, representing 5.7% of the State total.1
Exports
• $648 million in FY 2006-07 (tuition fees, transport, accommodation, shopping, etc. )
• 184% growth since 2000-01
• 6% of total State exports
• Largest service export sector
• Key international student markets are China, India and Malaysia
Case studies
Le Cordon Bleu
Carnegie Mellon University opens in Adelaide
Colliers PRD Student Services
Industry groups
Education Adelaide (operating as StudyAdelaide)
Australian Council of Private Education & Training Providers (ACPET)
Association of Independent Schools of SA (AISSA)
Catholic Education Office (CEO)
English Australia
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