Yes to International Students Fund projects announced

Published: 8 July 2025
International students in the city of Melbourne, standing on a bridge over the Yarra River

The Yes to International Students Fund (YISF) is a new Victorian Government initiative to support public Victorian universities and TAFEs (including dual-sector providers) to deliver more offshore education by providing funding to develop and grow innovative international partnerships.

YISF is funded through Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement and has been developed to create new opportunities and drive innovation.

Focus areas for the program include:

  • increased delivery of Transnational Education (TNE) and offshore education
  • enhanced Victorian international education partnerships and engagement; and
  • increased capability for Victorian tertiary education providers to deliver innovative international education models, particularly those which include offshore components.

2025 projects

A broad range of activities have been funded in 2025, including:

  • new course development with overseas training providers;
  • formalisation of new and innovative overseas partnerships;
  • development of new TNE strategies and frameworks; and
  • staff capability and student exchange programs, which will enhance the skills of offshore teachers and provide an opportunity for students studying abroad to be immersed in local academic settings.

Projects will be delivered with reputable overseas partners across Victoria’s international education network - in established and emerging markets - including China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Specific details of the education providers offered funding through YISF in 2025 is provided below:

Bendigo Kangan Institute

Funding will contribute towards the establishment of the vocational Automotive Centre of Excellence Cambodia (ACE-C) in Phnom Penh. This includes the  development and delivery of Vocational Teacher Training for  Cambodian teachers in the automotive TVET sector; creation of an automotive vocational technical language micro-credential short course to assist international students with the technical language required in the automotive industry; and development of a localised Car Dealership Advisor course focusing on Service Advising, Leadership, Customer Service and Car Sales. Overall the activity will support BKI's students and capability building efforts in Cambodia.

Box Hill Institute

This project will focus on lifting the capability of teachers through development and delivery of a Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education across China and key South-East Asian nations, including Vietnam and The Philippines. This teacher training program will strengthen teachers’ foundational knowledge and critical skills to deliver high quality TNE programs with confidence. Upon completion, participants will become Box Hill Institute Alumnus and Ambassadors, promoting the benefits of studying at BHI and Victoria more broadly.

Chisholm Institute

Funding will support two interconnected initiatives: professional development for offshore VET educators to enhance competency-based training aligned with Australian standards, and expansion of accredited TNE programs in China by introducing new diplomas, localising course content, and developing bilingual learning resources. These efforts will strengthen industry partnerships, improve employability outcomes, and enhance Chisholm's offshore education capabilities.

Deakin University

This project includes two components: exploring new TNE arrangements by enabling targeted partners to travel to Australia for a one-week program designed to deepen partnerships, facilitate experience-sharing and evolve relationships into more strategic collaborations; and enriching the professional development of partner academic staff by delivering a 2-week academic program through shadowing and working collaboratively with Deakin counterparts. Participants will then train their colleagues and promote sustainable academic excellence.

Federation University Australia

Federation University aims to strengthen global engagement and expand its transnational education (TNE) offerings through two key initiatives. First, it will develop a Co-operative Education Model with existing TNE partners to provide offshore students with industry placements or equivalent opportunities, ensuring a high-quality, industry-relevant experience. Second, it will enhance its capacity to deliver sustainable TNE by assessing and advancing potential partnerships in Vietnam, India and Mauritius, with funding supporting feasibility studies and implementation planning.

Holmesglen Institute

Holmesglen is partnering with Australasian Academy in Sri Lanka to provide high-quality offshore vocational education in ICT, addressing the country's growing demand for skilled technology professionals. The collaboration will offer internationally recognised qualifications aligned with Australian standards, helping Sri Lankan students pursue further studies and careers in the digital economy. To ensure success, Holmesglen will develop a contextualised curriculum and digital learning tools, aligning with industry needs and Victoria’s Economic Growth Statement objectives.

La Trobe University

LaTrobe University is launching initiatives to boost international engagement, improve student experiences, and strengthen Victoria’s global education reputation. This includes immersive study tours for Southeast Asian students, connecting Chinese university students with Victorian startups, and a pilot training program in Thailand to support new Business and IT courses. With YISF funding, these programs aim to drive student enrolments, enhance offshore academic capacity, and foster long-term global partnerships for sustainable growth in the international education sector.

Melbourne Polytechnic

Melbourne Polytechnic is seeking to expand transnational education in Vietnam and China through curriculum development and educator training. The initiative includes delivery of contextualised Australian vocational qualifications in partnership with FPT Education in Vietnam and Sichuan College of Architectural Technology in China, ensuring alignment with industry needs and regulatory standards. Additionally, Melbourne Polytechnic will upskill offshore educators to acquire the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122), strengthening capacity for high-quality Australian-standard program delivery and enhancing Victoria’s global education reputation.

Monash University

Monash University is expanding transnational education (TNE) through the development of a new co-designed dual degree partnership model in the Indo-Pacific, fostering deeper collaboration beyond traditional credit transfers. In collaboration with partners, Monash will develop new four-year dual degrees that reflect local workforce priorities, capabilities and are embedded in strong industry networks through a co-design curriculum approach. This new model is designed to equip graduates with the skills needed for leadership roles in globally connected sectors.

RMIT University

RMIT will host a two-week immersion visit in Melbourne for first-year BITS Pilani students in 2026, featuring academic workshops, student support inductions, cultural activities and networking. This visit will enhance student wellbeing and cross-cultural awareness across their degree journey between India and Australia. RMIT will also partner with Indonesian institutions to create four Pilot Short Courses in digital, creative industries, regenerative futures, and health, addressing regional training needs. These initiatives aim to strengthen transnational education and expand workforce development opportunities.

Sunraysia Institute of TAFE (SuniTAFE)

SuniTAFE aims to strengthen its transnational education (TNE) capability by expanding micro-credentials, short courses, and partnerships in China. Funding will support a project officer to develop a scalable TNE model, enhance staff expertise through training delivery in China, and trial programs in Sustainable Agriculture, Teacher Training, Hospitality, and IT. Additionally, SuniTAFE plans to explore new international markets by deepening relationships in Jiangsu province through a senior delegation in 2025.

Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne has developed a transnational education (TNE) partnership with Barzan University College (BUC) in Qatar to offer foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs to local and international students. The collaboration will involve face-to-face licensed delivery, with BUC managing course delivery and Swinburne overseeing quality assurance, with teaching scheduled for late 2025. The initiative includes curriculum development, staff training, industry engagement, and Work Integrated Learning components to establish Swinburne as a leading provider of Australian qualifications in the Middle East.

The Gordon Institute of TAFE (The Gordon)

The Gordon plans to launch a cookery and hospitality program in Vietnam or Indonesia, training students to Australian culinary standards in partnership with local educational organisations. The project includes business relationship development, an intensive 7-day immersion program, a 6-month pathway program, and a project evaluation mission. Additionally, funding will support a VET Transnational Education Environmental Scan to guide future TNE strategies and strengthen The Gordon's position in the international education market.

The University of Melbourne

University of Melbourne is expanding transnational education (TNE) through the development of a scalable Summer and Winter School pilot and the growth of its Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) program. The 2026 Melbourne Winter School will welcome 75 students from nine international institutions for a two-week academic and cultural immersion, positioning the University of Melbourne as a hub for short-term intensive programs. Additionally, the Bachelor of Science Advanced (Honours) will be enhanced through curriculum development and new partnerships in India, supporting sustained student mobility and collaboration with leading education providers.

Victoria University

Funding will support two new transnational education (TNE) initiatives in Vietnam and India. In Vietnam, they will be used to develop a partnership framework, onboarding resources, and training tools to support academic delivery. In India, the funding will enable due diligence for establishment of a branch campus, ensuring competitive program offerings, with resources from Vietnam adapted for future TNE expansion.

William Angliss Institute

William Angliss Institute (WAI) is expanding its transnational education (TNE) offerings into Higher Education (HE), building on its 20 years of experience in the Vocational Education and Training sector. A pilot program in Vietnam will deliver Australian HE subjects and provide pathways for further study in Victoria. The initiative aims to create a scalable and sustainable TNE model, enhancing student mobility and establishing WAI’s presence in the global HE market.

Funded project activities are expected to be completed by 30 June 2026.

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