Education our third biggest export

The education of international students has been confirmed as Australia's third biggest export income earner, generating $20 billion a year.

New data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, ahead of the sector meeting Education Minister Simon Birmingham this week, estimates universities and other tertiary institutions generated $13.7 billion of that income in 2015/16.

More than 320,000 students from 130 countries are studying in Australia's universities.

Senator Birmingham says there has been 11 per cent growth in student numbers since the coalition took office in 2013.

"Beyond the immediate economic value from international education, the sector also brings diversity to the experience of Australian students, studying alongside and collaborating with peers from across the globe," he said in a statement.

International education was vitally important to Australia's economic success and needed careful attention and a whole-of-government approach.