New Directions in Internationalizing Higher Education: Australia's Development as an Exporter of Higher Education Services

Abstract

The export of higher education services has become a major and controversial aspect of the internationalization of higher education, especially with the current GATS negotiations. Over the past decade, Australia has become the third largest exporter of higher education, mainly to a limited number of South and East Asian countries. Australian public higher education institutions in 2002 had over 185,000 international students and this constituted over 21% of the total student enrolment load. Recruitment of international students has brought substantial financial benefits to Australia and its universities. In addition, it has prompted Australia to make more deliberate efforts towards with the internationalization of curricula and encourage expanded exchange of staff and students. At least in the short term, the prospects of future expansion in international student numbers are promising.