Building partnerships with China for over 150 years.
China remains Victoria's largest export market. It is home to the world's largest population and a booming middle-class; there is an increasing demand for premium goods, services, and knowledge, which has opened up key opportunities for Victorian businesses to establish valuable trade partnerships with China.
Market snapshot
New and emerging opportunities for Victorian businesses continue to grow as the Chinese economy diversifies into new consumer segments.
With five Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices in China, we continue to support Victorian businesses to participate in trade shows in China to promote their goods and services.
Market update
Spotlight on International Education
China continues to present opportunities for Victorian education providers. In addition to being Victoria’s second-largest source of international students, China’s higher education sector offers potential for institutional partnerships.
China’s Education Master Plan
In January 2025, China released its 2024-2035 Master Plan on Building China into a Leading Country in Education (Education Master Plan). The plan offers insight into China’s strategic priorities in the sector and the opportunities it creates for Victorian education providers to collaborate with Chinese institutions.
China’s Education Master Plan sets out China’s ambitions to become a leading country in education by 2035. The plan calls for higher education disciplines and majors to be realigned to China’s national strategies and incorporate recent scientific and technological developments, such as in AI, green tech, and advanced manufacturing.
Importantly, the plan also emphasised leveraging international collaboration to support its goals.
Chinese institutions are expanding their international exchange offerings and dual degree options, as well as programs to build global competence in its students. Victorian education providers can seek to capture opportunities by becoming strategic partners in areas such as:
- curriculum development
- joint degree programs
- research cooperation
- student and faculty exchange
- short-term and summer student programs
The plan also highlighted vocational education reforms as a key strategic priority to ensure industry demands can be supported by suitable talent.
Victoria’s TAFE sector can capture opportunities in articulation pathways and curriculum co-development as China expands its vocational programs. There is also potential to leverage Victorian TAFEs’ strengths in applied research and employer partnership structures to address China’s skills gaps in critical industries.
China’s international students
China remains a key source of international students, with Victorian education providers seeing over 64,300 enrolments from China in 2024.
In addition to institutional prestige, both parents and potential students are considering a broad range of factors when deciding where to study, including:
- post-study employment outcomes
- digital and experiential learning opportunities
- student wellbeing
- return on investment.
The current generation of international students also has more diverse academic interests, extending beyond traditionally popular subjects in Engineering and Business into Health and the Creative Industries.
Victorian institutes are well placed to promote their holistic studying experience and highlight features such as:
- dedicated student support programs
- diversity and flexibility in course offerings
- industry experience opportunities
- career pathways and resources.
Victorian Government support
In addition to supporting international students in Victoria, Study Melbourne supports Victorian education providers to access new opportunities and undertake business development overseas.
Study Melbourne’s Global Education Network includes three Education Services Managers based in China.
Through an established network of five Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices in Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing and Hong Kong, Global Victoria continues to help Victorian businesses ready to engage with the Chinese market.
Connect with our team in-market
To follow the latest events in the Greater China market, follow the Victorian Government Trade and Investment Greater China LinkedIn page.
Previous Market Updates
Key industries of opportunity for Victorian exporters
Food and fibre
Victoria is Australia's largest supplier of food and fibre products to China. Since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) took force in 2015, significant export barriers have been removed, and Victoria's agribusiness sector is well placed to boost sales to China by exporting their premium food products and beverages.
International education
International education is one of Victoria's major service-based exports. Our reputation as one of the world's most liveable cities, combined with our leading educational institutions, make Victoria a highly ranked option for Chinese families and students who continue to seek the globally-recognised education opportunities that Victoria offers.
Medtech, pharma and healthcare
With an ageing population and the implementation of healthcare reform, China's high demand for healthcare services provides key opportunities for Victoria's medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology businesses.
Victoria's reputation as a world leader in medical technologies and pharmaceuticals places Victorian businesses in a strong position to address China's healthcare needs by exporting innovative products, knowledge and supply-chain solutions.
Tourism
China is Victoria’s second-largest source market for overnight visitors, with ten airlines offering direct flights to Melbourne.
Transport and construction technologies
China is seeking to develop its hi-tech and innovation industries. Victorian businesses with expert knowledge and skills in building high-quality, innovative infrastructure have substantial export opportunities in engineering, specialist design and the advanced materials industries to meet China's infrastructure requirements.
Contact us
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