Expenditures by international university students

Although the growth of overseas students in Australia is well documented, little is known about their personal expenditure patterns. To help fill this important vacuum in our knowledge a census of spending by overseas students at the University of Wollongong was conducted in September 1992. Following is a presentation and analysis of the findings. The results provide estimates of spending by overseas students and are cross-classified by nationality, type of fee payment, residential status, level of study and gender. Inferences have been drawn from this data to estimate total expenditure within the Wollongong region and the greater Australian economy. It should be noted that the paper only addresses the impact of spending by overseas students attending universities. Other overseas students, such as those studying at high schools or English Language centres, and technical and further education institutes, are excluded.