Monday 9 September 2025, NEAS CEO Adam Kilburn participated in an important event hosted by Business NSW and Business Sydney, in partnership with Study NSW, for the launch of the report: Economic and Social Contributions of International Students to NSW.
The event marked the official launch of this landmark report commissioned by Study NSW and prepared by Business NSW. The Hon. Emily Suvaal MLC, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Small Business, delivered the keynote, underscoring the scale of international students’ contributions—economic, social, cultural, and long-term.
The report is a timely reminder of the significant impact international students have on our country—and in this case, specifically for NSW. In 2024, the sector supported nearly 120,000 full-time jobs and contributed close to $13 billion to the economy. But as the findings also make clear, the benefits extend far beyond the numbers: international students help fill critical workforce gaps, enrich our communities, and build lifelong cultural bonds across generations.
Adam joined the panel to reflect on these findings and to provide NEAS’ perspective on the role of accommodation—particularly homestay—in supporting international students. He highlighted how homestay provides more than just a place to stay: it creates a safe, culturally enriching environment that helps students adjust quickly to life in Australia, while also strengthening the social licence of international education by connecting students with Australian families.
NEAS is proud to be leading this important space. We have developed industry-backed guidelines for Homestay that set a high benchmark for quality and risk management. These guidelines support schools, providers, and families to deliver safe, enriching homestay experiences, while recognising homestay’s unique role in helping international students thrive.
As the report shows, international students are vital to NSW’s future—and indeed, to all of Australia’s. NEAS is honoured to contribute to this conversation and will continue advocating for high-quality homestay as a cornerstone of the international student experience.
September 2025
