INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Why has there been an increase in the number of international students choosing to study in our state and how does this relate to the quality of education offered at our public universities?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (15:03): I am very pleased to respond to the member for Kaurna's question. There are many factors that contribute to the number of overseas students choosing to make Adelaide their destination, but clearly the quality, standing and choice offered by our education sector plays a very significant role. I am pleased to report that there has been an increase in the number of international students choosing to study in South Australia.

If we look at our standing from an international perspective, the 2012 Academic Ranking of World Universities puts Australia as the fourth most successful higher education system globally. In fact, I was very pleased to note that the importance of a quality education was acknowledged by international students who were surveyed by The Advertiser. I think it was a couple of weekends ago or last weekend. We add value to that, because Adelaide is recognised as a safe city and Australia's most liveable city.

The latest figures confirm that more international students are choosing to study and live in Adelaide. The number of students who commenced study in South Australia increased by 3.9 per cent in March and 2.3 per cent in April. Student numbers in March also increased at a faster rate than the national growth for the first time in three years. More broadly, the number of prospective students applying for visas to study in Australia is also on the rise, and that is a very important sign.

More than 7,100 new international students have started their studies in South Australia this year, taking our total enrolments so far to nearly 21,000. If we look at this growth right up to 2011, South Australia has outperformed the national growth rate for international students for seven out of the past nine years. Compared to 2002, there are 2½ times more international students living and studying in South Australia today. This means an extra 17,000 international students have chosen to make South Australia home and there are, of course, significant economic benefits because we know that international education contributed $863 million approximately in export earnings to the state in 2011-12.

I take this opportunity to wish all of our international students and their families the best. I thank our education sectors for the work they do in educating our international students, and going that extra step to ensure that they have not only a very productive time but also a safe stay here in South Australia.