Message from Minister Steve Dimopoulos MP

Former Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs
Minister for Sport

Victoria’s international education sector is second to none. We welcome international students with open arms and support them to thrive while they study in Victoria. The Victorian Government has consistently backed the sector, with students at the forefront, because its success benefits all Victorians. International students enrich our campuses and culture, and become integral members of our community. They drive economic growth, innovation, trade and investment and become friends in business here and overseas.

Study with Victoria sets out a clear plan to build on our strengths and drive resilience and sustainability across the international education sector. In a dynamic national and global environment, we’re focused on deepening and growing our partnerships. We don’t just want students to study in Victoria – we want them to study with Victoria. That means partnering with education providers, industry and governments worldwide to make Victoria their partner of choice across education, research, business, and workforce development. Victoria will offer students a high-quality experience that extends well beyond the classroom.

Study with Victoria is our vision for Victoria to remain a global education leader and ensure international students and all Victorians reap the benefits of a strong and vibrant sector. I invite governments at all levels, education providers, businesses, students and alumni to join us in working together to achieve this goal.

Why Victoria’s international education strategy matters

In 2025, around 259,000 international students from around the world chose to study in Victoria. This  vibrant student community enriches the cultural and academic life of the state while driving economic growth, contributing approximately $17.9 billion in service exports and  supporting around 69,000 Victorian jobs in 2025.

Victoria’s welcoming and diverse atmosphere, combined with its commitment to student safety, makes it an ideal destination for international students. Melbourne is consistently ranked as Australia’s best student city and among the most liveable cities in the world, offering a supportive environment where students can thrive. With top-tier student services and a culturally rich lifestyle, Victoria provides the perfect foundation for academic and personal success.

Vision

Our vision is for Victoria to be a global leader in education and student experience, recognised for quality, innovation and inclusion.

Pillars

At its core, Victoria’s international education strategy is focused on what international students and the sector need to succeed.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay our respects to them, their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of First Peoples and communities to Victorian life and how this enriches our society more broadly. We embrace the spirit of self-determination and reconciliation, working towards equality of outcomes and ensuring an equitable voice. We also acknowledge Victoria’s Treaty as a landmark moment towards reconciliation, justice and self-determination of First Peoples. We commit to upholding its values through policies and practices that promote respect, collaboration and empowerment.

Education has the power to transform lives, and studying internationally expands horizons, building greater understanding and connection between countries and cultures. We recognise First Peoples as Victoria's first educators and the vital importance of connecting international students with the rich knowledge and cultural heritage of First Peoples communities.

Sensitive content warning

We honour and pay our deepest respect to the late Tommy Day III, a proud Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba man.

The Study Melbourne Hub proudly hosts an original mural artwork, Yarkeen (Dreaming), by Tommy Day III, which serves as a first connection point for international students in Victoria with First Peoples culture.