Sydney to host milestone international education conference
The 40th anniversary of the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) will be hosted by Sydney in 2026.
Announced today at the 2025 conference in Canberra, the event will bring thousands of educational professionals, policy makers and service providers from across Australia and the world to New South Wales.
The AIEC is the premier forum for shaping the future of Australia’s vital international education sector. It is an opportunity for the government and industry to connect and collaborate to drive a sustainable and resilient sector.
Thousands of delegates will come together in Sydney in October next year to discuss trends in the international education industry, from student housing and community engagement to marketing and recruitment and business development and strategy.
The conference highlights the importance of international education to the state’s vibrancy, prosperity and diversity, aligning with the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy and NSW Industry Policy as well as the 24-Hour Economy Strategy and the Visitor Economy Strategy.
NSW has a comparative advantage in international education, with more than 328,000 international students calling NSW home in 2024, living within our communities, and contributing to our skilled workforce, research and innovation ecosystems.
As NSW’s second largest export, contributing $19.5 billion to the state’s economy in 2024, the sector is critical to the state’s efforts to diversity and attract the best and brightest to NSW.
Investment NSW and Business Events Sydney (BESydney) collaborated to secure the AIEC for Sydney. They will support IDP Education and the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) in their delivery of a special event to reflect 40 years of inspiration, collaboration and connection.
Investment NSW Deputy Secretary Rebecca McPhee said:
“Sydney is a leading global study, research and business hub – and for good reason. We have a strong culture of innovation, a history of developing meaningful partnerships and deep international ties.
“We look forward to welcoming delegates to Sydney in 2026 for the 40th anniversary of the AIEC, where we can work together to share knowledge, gain expert insights and celebrate the strength and impact of this vital sector.”
Business Events Sydney CEO Amanda Lampe said:
“Thanks to our strong partnership with Investment NSW and Study NSW, BESydney is delighted to secure AIEC 2026 for Sydney.
“Bringing nearly 2,000 university educators and innovators from around the world, we estimate AIEC 2026 will generate $6.1 million in direct expenditure to the local economy. This event will foster vital discussions on the future of international education and offer delegates immersive experiences at our leading institutes and research facilities.
“Conferences like AIEC 2026 create lasting opportunities for global collaboration and impact well beyond the conference itself.”
IDP Education CEO Tennealle O’Sullivan said:
“For 40 years, the AIEC has been where international education connects, collaborates and looks ahead.
“We are proud to co-host this milestone anniversary in Sydney – a city with world-class universities, vibrant culture and global connections – and to look ahead together at how we can keep strengthening opportunities for students, institutions and communities.”