Are international students welcome?

International students are an integral part of Australian campus life. They make up a quarter of the total student population.

Many overseas students are surprised by the friendliness of Australians, often telling stories of strangers helping them on the street.

To Australians, cultural diversity is part of their national identity. The country thrives on the contributions different cultures have made to society, commerce, sport, arts and education. Australia has a history of international education, and has been welcoming students from other countries for many years. 

The people of modern Australia come from more than 140 different countries. Around 23 per cent of Australians were born in another country; 25 per cent have at least one parent who was born in another country; and 15 per cent speak a language other than English at home.

Equal opportunity laws protect people from unfair treatment based on their culture, gender, religion or sexuality. Women are equal to men by law.

Student comment

“I love living here. In Taiwan, you never say hello to a stranger but here you greet and smile at people you don’t know, which I think is nice.”