Australia’s education exports reached a record A$20.3 billion (£12 billion) in 2015-16, an increase of 8 per cent on the previous year.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that universities and other tertiary education institutions generated A$13.7 billion of that income.

“International education remains Australia’s third largest export – just behind iron ore and coal,” .

“Experts say the resurgence could accelerate, as Brexit and Donald Trump’s successful ­campaign stem student flows to Australia’s two biggest competitors [the UK and US],” suggested .

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The newspaper also said that previous research “has demonstrated that international stud­ents not only subsidise the teaching of domestic students, but also keep afloat the multi-­million-dollar research efforts of major universities”.

In 2010, new enrolments of international students at Australian universities suffered a hit after the government restricted access to student visas. But the government has since changed its approach.

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The figure on education exports includes fees and spending on goods and services such as food and accommodation.

Belinda Robinson, Universities Australia chief executive, said: “Not only is international education a core component of Australia’s economy, it contributes profoundly to Australia’s relationships with the world.”

She added: “Through the exchange of students on a grand scale, we’re forging relationships that underpin our future diplomacy, trade, business links, cultural insight, and personal connections.” 

john.morgan@tesglobal.com