Despite reports indicating Chinese students are turning their back on studying in Australia, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says Brisbane has nothing to be concerned about.

International education is Australia’s largest export market and is worth $21.8 billion. Last year, Cr Quirk estimated the industry contributed $3.77 billion to Brisbane's economy alone.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk says he is not concerned by reports indicating Chinese students are turning their back on studying in Australia Credit:Dean Whitling

Concerns were raised in Chinese media that the nation's students were questioning the value of overseas education, particularly in Australia, as studying abroad did not guarantee a good job for the student once they returned home.

The People's Daily, China's biggest newspaper, went as far as to editorialise that returning students were "incompatible to domestic society" following their experience abroad.