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International Education and Training, a Growing Economic Sector for Townsville

With a variety of high-quality education providers in a safe and welcoming city, Townsville is poised to increase the number of international students choosing to study here. Study Townsville is the leading industry body for International Education and Training (IET) for the Townsville and North Queensland region, focussed on promoting Townsville as an education destination with achievable employment outcomes for international students.

“The IET sector is one of Queensland’s largest exports, generating revenue for the state valued
at $4.3 billion in 2022. The sector is also a strong economic contributor for Townsville, delivering
$62.5 million in export revenue in 2022,” says Danelle Rosario, Study Townsville Executive Officer.

The export revenue includes expenditure on fees and tuition, goods and services, and expenditure by visiting friends and relatives of the international student studying, working, and living in Townsville.

At present, it is estimated there is over 2,000 international students in Townsville, with a high percentage engaged in part-time and full-time employment contributing to our city’s workforce.

As the IET sector continues to recover post-COVID, many international students who are looking to study abroad are choosing destinations such as Townsville given the lower cost of living compared to a metropolitan city, the real employment outcomes and opportunities, along with the high-quality, world class education delivered in a safe and nurturing environment.

Townsville IET ranges from school to vocational education and training (VET) to university, as well
as English language courses. Students directly contribute to the Townsville economic landscape through staying with Townsville homestay host families, which is an income source for the family’s household, as well as a unique cultural experience for the family. Many international students choose to reside in on-campus accommodation facilities, where they can connect with other students and access student services, which also takes pressure off the city’s availability of rental accommodation.

“The international education and training sector enriches the Townsville community culturally and socially, while strengthening Townsville’s global connectivity and addressing skill shortages. Building stronger relationships between international students and local businesses and industry can deliver benefits for all parties, which Study Townsville is well positioned to deliver,” says Danelle.

One of the successful projects Study Townsville has developed is a Student Ambassador program, STAR. The STAR program is a volunteer initiative available to current international students that offers coordinated visits to attractions, professional networking opportunities and employment connections. Students’ lifestyle, study and employment experiences are shared through online channels, as well as their own networks to showcase first- hand why Townsville is an ideal location to study, live and work.

“The STAR program is a true representation of the diversity of international students studying in Townsville with over 20 different home countries represented in the group. The students have visited locations such as Magnetic Island, Charters Towers, and the Great Barrier Reef, to name a few. Ambassadors share their individual experience through their own social networks, which positively promotes Townsville in an unfiltered and authentic way that can lead to an increase in visitors and international students attracted to Townsville,” says Danelle.

Study Townsville Student Ambassador visit to Texas Longhorn Tours in Charters Towers, providing the group with a truly unique and authentic North Queensland experience.

International Student Ambassadors in the program describe how participation in the program has enhanced their overall Townsville experience.

“Study Townsville has allowed me to see Townsville beyond the iconic landmarks of Castle Hill and The Strand”, says Anson, who is from Hong Kong and in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor or Surgery with JCU.

“My role as an ambassador provided me with an immersive Townsville experience. Every photo became a story, every person I met became a connection and the places I visited transformed into a learning opportunity, emphasising the transformative power of education beyond borders”, says Emmanuel from Ghana who is a PhD Candidate in Health with JCU.

“Study Townsville has given me the opportunity to explore and fall in love with the city, and continuously makes me step out of my comfort zone,” says Matilde, who is from Italy and in her final year of a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Marine Biology.

“The Study Townsville STAR program let me explore so much of what North Queensland has to offer. From the Great Barrier Reef to the rainforests, the cane industry and the cattle, the whale migrations to a sleepy koala, this community and place is magic,” says Hulwa, who is an Australian Awards Scholar from the Maldives completing a Master of Science majoring in Environmental Management.

Study Townsville is supported by its members as well as Study Queensland, a State Government organisation dedicated to promoting Queensland as a premier study destination and a preferred partner for education, training, research, and innovation. In order to continue to attract international students to Townsville and connect students with employment in the region, Study Townsville is looking to grow its member base and industry connections. If you are looking to find out more about the IET sector in Townsville and identify positive business outcomes, reach out to Study Townsville Executive Officer, Danelle Rosario via .

Main Image: Study Townsville Executive Officer, Danelle Rosario (centre), with International Student Ambassadors, Hulwa Khaleel, Matilde Brisinello, Anson Yang, and Emmanuel Ofori-Amponsah.

Image credits: Images supplied

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