Emerging Australian Education Markets: A Discrete Choice Model of Taiwanese and Indonesian Student Intended Study Destination

Australia is among the leading exporters of higher education services, behind the US and the UK, for English-based instruction. During the past decade, Australia has experienced significant growth in international student numbers, and currently has a substantial share of the East Asian student market. Most of this growth has occurred in the higher education sector. It is important for the Australian higher education sector, in the face of growing competition and reduced government funding, to identify new markets. This study isolates factors that influence the choice of Australia as a preferred destination for international students in emerging regional markets. This paper uses data obtained from a survey of students in Indonesia and Taiwan to estimate a US/Australia and rest of world/Australia discrete destination choice model. This model identifies key factors that determine country choice.