Australia¡¯s education exports reached a record A$20.3 billion (?12 billion) in 2015-16, an increase of 8 per cent on the previous year.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that universities and other tertiary education institutions generated A$13.7 billion of that income.

¡°International education remains?Australia¡¯s third largest export?¨C just behind iron ore and coal,¡± .

¡°Experts say the resurgence could accelerate, as Brexit and Donald Trump¡¯s successful ?campaign stem student flows to Australia¡¯s two biggest competitors [the UK and US],¡± suggested .

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The newspaper also said that previous research ¡°has demonstrated that international stud?ents not only subsidise the teaching of domestic students, but also keep afloat the multi-?million-dollar research efforts of major universities¡±.

In 2010, new enrolments of international students at Australian universities suffered a hit after the government restricted access to student visas. But the government has since changed its approach.

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The figure on education exports includes fees and spending on goods and services such as food and accommodation.

Belinda Robinson, Universities Australia chief executive, said: ¡°Not only is international education a core component of Australia¡¯s economy, it contributes profoundly to Australia¡¯s relationships with the world.¡±

She added: ¡°Through the exchange of students on a grand scale, we¡¯re forging relationships that underpin our future diplomacy, trade, business links, cultural insight, and personal connections.¡±?

john.morgan@tesglobal.com