Victoria’s position as a world-leading study destination is being backed by a new plan to support international education and attract more students to Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Minister for Trade Tim Pallas today launched Victoria’s International Education Recovery Plan 2025 outlining the Government’s vision for the sector, including initiatives that will build Victoria’s performance as a leader in education excellence and student experience.

Backed by almost $53 million in funding, the Plan highlights the worldwide opportunities and connections that Victoria’s international education sector offers – including through the expansion of the Government’s Global Education Network to 19 locations with extra resources in Colombia, Korea, Japan and Vietnam.

Melbourne is officially Australia’s best student city and Victorians play a key role in making international students feel welcome and accepted. The Plan proposes to do more of this through Study Melbourne community partnerships and programs empowering women, LGBTIQ+ communities and people of all colour, faiths and abilities.

The International Student Travel Pass which offers a 50 per cent discount is a practical demonstration of support for students once they land in Victoria.

Some 37,000 extra students have arrived in Victoria since international borders re-opened last December, taking the total number of international students currently in the state to more than 105,000. A further 23,000 offshore students are enrolled with Victorian institutions.

The Recovery Plan incorporates a new overseas promotional campaign to keep the momentum of the sector’s recovery strong.

The Plan calls for a collective investment in education innovation and technology to ensure the sector can adapt to future shifts in teaching and learning demands.

Initiatives build on the Andrews Labor Government’s record investments in 2020 and 2021 to stabilise the sector during the global pandemic, including $33 million for support programs for international students, $45 million for the International Student Emergency Relief Fund and $50 million for the International Education Resilience Fund.

Victoria’s International Education Recovery Plan 2025 is available at studymelbourne.vic.gov.au.