QUEENSLAND TARGETS $4.6 BILLION GROWTH FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SECTOR

INTERNATIONAL education and training (IET) jobs will increase by 7,000 within 10 years in Queensland under a new strategy launched by the State Government today.

The IET Strategy to Advance Queensland 2016-2026 aims to grow the value of the industry from $2.9 billion to $7.5 billion by 2026, while increasing the number of jobs to 26,000.

It is an important move to gain market share in an industry worth $20 billion to the Australian economy this year.

"This new strategy represents the most comprehensive suite of support for the IET sector in Queensland's history, with an investment of $25.3 million over the next five years," says Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Jackie Trad.

The plan includes suite of 36 initiatives, including a $6 million five-year industry partnership, an annual summit and support for new student accommodation.

"The benefits will flow to regional Queensland with more than a third of international students choosing to study outside Brisbane far and away the highest percentage of any other state."

Many of those international students that study outside of Brisbane would choose the Gold Coast, which has an education sector worth $1.4 billion, with around $754 derived from international students.

Study Gold Coast CEO Shannon Willoughby says the proposed initiatives align with Study Gold Coast's own four-year strategic plan.

"By having the opportunity to work in collaboration with the State Government and to access additional funds from the State to support our own strategy, I am confident the Gold Coast can move into the next phase of its life cycle and help make education an even bigger economic and social pillar," says Ms Willoughby.

"With an increased number of students and knowledge workers, the benefits to the economy will soar a growth will be seen in innovation, research and entrepreneurism, tourism, investment, culture and diversity."

Study Gold Coast has projects in four main areas: city positioning, student experience, talent attraction and retention and employability.

Some of the initiatives within these focus areas are connectivity to Gold Coast events, a proposed student hub, hosting the city's largest careers event, growth of the Mayor's Student Ambassador program and targeting key markets for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.