NSW Report Highlights International Students' $12.8B Impact Beyond Tuition
On 8 September 2025, the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Small Business, the Hon Emily Suvaal MLC, unveiled a comprehensive report titled 'Economic and Social Impact of International Students in NSW'. This significant document, published in Sydney, expands the understanding of international students' contributions beyond tuition fees and living expenses.
The report introduces a novel framework that captures international students' impact across five key areas. Firstly, their spending on goods and services sustains jobs and boosts productivity in various NSW industries. Secondly, tuition fees fund research, facilities, and teaching that benefit local students and strengthen the state's innovation ecosystem. Thirdly, international students directly contribute to the visitor economy through travel, tourism, and visits from family and friends. Fourthly, they enrich NSW communities through volunteering, cultural exchange, and participation in local activities, making classrooms more globally connected and communities more vibrant. Lastly, the long-term impact includes international students becoming trade partners, investors, and advocates for NSW, as well as returning as tourists and inspiring the next generation of international students.
Currently, international education is NSW's second-largest export sector, creating nearly 120,000 full-time equivalent jobs and generating $12.8 billion annually. The report provides new data measuring these broader contributions, offering valuable insights for policy-making and community engagement.
The 'Economic and Social Impact of International Students in NSW' report, launched by the Hon Emily Suvaal MLC, highlights the multifaceted contributions of international students to the state. By expanding the framework beyond tuition fees and living expenses, the report underscores the importance of international students to NSW's economy, society, and culture. These insights can inform strategies to further support and benefit from international student engagement.
