But that opportunity does not come cheaply: research by HSBC found that Australia is one of the most expensive places in the world in which to study. On average, international students are paying $42,000 a year on tutition and living expenses.
On top of such expense can also come culture shock, with many students struggling to adapt to a different way of life and the demands of learning in a second language.
In this audio report, Jack Kilbride talks to international students about the difficulties they face studying in Australia and to academic Paula Kelly about how universities might better support such students.
