New government data shows that Australia’s international enrolment grew once again in 2018, with an 11.4% increase year-over-year, to reach 693,750 international students in the country – 70,820 more than in 2017.

Notable growth is coming from a number of emerging markets. While Chinese students still make up the majority (29.2%) of Australia’s international enrolments – and while Chinese enrolments increased 10.9% over 2017 to reach 255,895 – other key markets contributed higher rates of growth. India, for example, grew by 24.5% to 108,290 enrolments and Nepal, the third most important sending market, contributed 52,243 enrolments – an impressive 48.4% increase over 2017.

Brazil accounted for the fourth highest number of enrolments (40,864 – 12.3% more than in 2017). Malaysia rounds out the top five sending markets with 33,730 students, and modest growth of 3.2% over the year before. In total, students from the top five sending markets make up 56% of all international students in Australia.

This is encouraging news for GSA’s investment portfolio. International students are a core target for GSA’s properties, which seek to offer student communities which foster social integration, engagement with studies and a deeper attachment to the educational institution.

2019 is a year of growth for GSA in the Australian market. In February, The Boulevard opened in Perth, and next month, a second investment in Melbourne will launch, Infinity Place, which will provide 335-beds to the vibrant student community in the city.