English Australia (EA) has published a report on its annual survey of the ELICOS market. The survey covered ELICOS enrolments in 2002.
EA invited 183 accredited ELICOS providers to participate in the survey, of which 83 institutions (including 54 EA members and 29 others) sent responses. The survey collected data on students’ nationality, visa class, duration of study, state/territory of study and various other items.
The survey found that total ELICOS enrolments in 2002 amounted to 79,500 - a 2% decrease from 2001. Most students (80%) came from the Asia-Pacific region. Asian enrolments were up 3% on the previous year, while both European and South American enrolments declined. Enrolments from Hong Kong grew fastest (up 44%).
China was the second fastest growing source country (up 18%). Most other Asian countries also registered increases, although South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia all showed declines. Japan remained the biggest source country, accounting for over a quarter of all enrolments.
European enrolments declined by 11%. Enrolments from Slovakia and Italy increased, but other European countries recorded hefty decreases. Switzerland remained the biggest European source country followed by Germany.
Enrolments from Central and South America decreased by a third. All Latin American countries except Mexico posted decreases, including the biggest market, Brazil, which fell by a quarter.
Although enrolments declined, total weeks of study increased by 5% overall. Average length of stay increased by almost a week from 10.8 to 11.5 weeks. Average length of stay increased for students from all regions. Latin American students studied, on average, 2.1 weeks longer than in 2001.
The economic impact of total enrolments correspondingly increased by 13% to A$802 million. The economic impact of Asian enrolments increased by 17% to A$665 million, while the economic impact of European students was steady and that of Latin American students declined.
Just over half of all students held student visas. This proportion has declined slightly since 2001. 41% of students held tourist visas and 8% were on working holiday visas. Most Asian students (54%) and Latin American students (72%) held student visas, while most European students (65%) held tourist visas. A bigger proportion of European students were using tourist visas than in 2001, and the proportion of students on student visas was correspondingly lower.
Individual enrolments made up 90% of all enrolments. 98% of group enrolments were from Asian countries with 53% from Japan.
45% of students went to NSW. Queensland was a distant second with 22%. Victoria (15%), Western Australia (11%) and South Australia (7%) hosted smaller numbers of students.
The table shows enrolments from the top 10 source countries in 2002, compared to 2001.
Top 10 source countries, 2002
|
Country |
2001 |
2002 |
% change |
|
Japan |
21,516 |
22,039 |
2.4% |
|
China |
10,505 |
12,353 |
17.6% |
|
South Korea |
12,561 |
9,956 |
-20.7% |
|
Switzerland |
6,343 |
6,130 |
-3.4% |
|
Thailand |
4,655 |
5,254 |
12.9% |
|
Hong Kong |
3,273 |
4,729 |
44.5% |
|
Taiwan |
3,910 |
4,461 |
14.1% |
|
Brazil |
3,034 |
2,283 |
-24.8% |
|
Indonesia |
2,311 |
2,183 |
-5.5% |
|
Germany |
1,770 |
1,687 |
-4.7% |