THE anti-immigration rhetoric of both parties risks putting international students off.

The political posturing is damaging Australia's reputation as a welcoming destination for study, university vice-chancellors have warned.

"It just contributes to the perception that we aren't welcoming," University of Queensland vice-chancellor Paul Greenfield told The Australian yesterday. He said there was a danger that the flavour of the campaign debate would worsen negative perceptions caused by the attacks last year against Indian students.

Monash University vice-chancellor Ed Byrne said he was concerned at the rhetoric from both parties.

The International Education Association of Australia said: "The conflation of international education and the population debate is particularly . . . mischievous." It noted that only about 10 per cent of international students, or 65,000 out of 630,000 last year, actually migrate.

The Australian Tourism Export Council's managing director Matt Hingerty warned both parties to consider the economic cost of reduced student visa numbers, including fewer tourists.

He noted that more than 70 per cent of international students expected a visit from at least two friends and two or more family members during their stay.

The $17.7 billion a year international education industry is already braced for a slowdown caused by a strong Australian dollar and rising competition. It is also being hurt by the Gillard government's tougher visa conditions and tighter skilled migration rules with the crackdown on rorts in private colleges.

International student fees account for, on average, 16 per cent of university revenues, but at some universities they account for up to a third of revenue.