1 Introduction

Australia has abundant educational resources, high education quality, and a mature education system. Since the 1950s, Australia has a long history in the field of international education. In 2007, international education became the top export trade in the service industry and the fourth largest export industry. In 2016 and 2021, the Australian Ministry of Education released the National International Education Strategy (2025) and the Australian International Education Strategy (2021-2030), respectively, emphasizing the improvement of international education quality, diversity, and student-centered approach. China is Australia's largest trading partner and source country of international students. However, in recent years, the tension between China and Australia and the COVID-19 have led to the slowdown or even decline in the number of Chinese students studying in Australia. This article will analyze the development trends of international education in Australia since 2016, the status of education cooperation between China and Australia, and explore opportunities and challenges for cooperation.

2 Trends in International Education Development in Australia

Australian international education is renowned globally for its high-quality resources and mature system, particularly ranking high in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Education Watch Report 2023. Since the Colombo Plan in the 1950s, international education in Australia has rapidly developed and become the third destination country for international students studying abroad. The international education sector covers higher education, vocational education, primary and secondary education, language courses, and non degree education, bringing significant economic and employment contributions to Australia. In 2023, the number of international student registrations and education revenue reached a historic high of 975229 and AUD 47.633 billion, respectively.

3. Status of Education Cooperation between China and Australia

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Australia in 1972, educational exchanges and cooperation have started early but developed slowly. In the early 21st century, the number of Chinese students studying in Australia grew rapidly, mainly through self funded means. Australia attracts a large number of Chinese students with its advantages in education quality and cultural environment, making China the largest source of international students in Australia. The number of Chinese international students grew rapidly from 2002 to 2010, briefly declined due to the impact of the financial crisis from 2011 to 2013, and resumed high-speed growth after 2014. In 2019, the number of Chinese international students reached its highest value of 260000, accounting for 27.31% of the total number of international students, but the number of new students began to decline. Due to the impact of China Australia relations and the pandemic, the number of Chinese students studying abroad plummeted from 2020 to 2022, but slowly rebounded to 190000 in 2023, still lower than the level in 2016.

4 Opportunities and Challenges for China Australia Education Cooperation

In recent years, despite the ups and downs in bilateral relations between China and Australia, trade has developed rapidly, with China becoming Australia's largest trading partner. Chinese students studying abroad have a crucial impact on the development of international education in Australia, with a high proportion of Australian education exports to China. However, the tension between China and Australia, the COVID-19 and other factors led to a decline in the number of Chinese students studying abroad, which had an impact on Australia's international education industry. Australia is making efforts to reduce its dependence on the Chinese student market and explore emerging study abroad markets, but it is difficult to find alternatives in the short term. With the end of the epidemic, Australian educational institutions are looking forward to the return of Chinese students studying abroad, and there is hope for a resumption of growth in Chinese students studying in Australia.

5 Conclusion

Australian international education has experienced rapid development, but currently faces challenges such as international market competition, economic weakness, the pandemic, and bilateral relations. China is Australia's largest source of international students, and educational cooperation between China and Australia is crucial to bilateral relations. The Australian International Education Strategy (2021-2030) will help promote education cooperation between China and Australia. China and Australia should cooperate to address challenges, utilize technology to explore emerging markets, and reshape the education industry. After the epidemic, there is potential for education cooperation between China and Australia. We hope that both sides can seek common ground while reserving differences and jointly promote the development of international education in Australia.