According to the 2025 QS Best Student Cities Ranking, Melbourne is rated the #1 student city in Australia and 5th best student city in the world1.
With a vibrant multicultural society, high quality of living and social inclusion, it’s no surprise that Victoria attracted 235,000 international students coming from 175 countries to study in Victoria in 2023.
Research and innovation combine to contribute to solving global challenges
Our world-class universities, research and development (R&D) hubs, Vocational Education and Training (VET) organisations and English language schools all work in partnership with overseas providers to design and deliver customised education and training programs and services.
Victoria's education, training, and research institutions have a proven track record across a vast range of industries, which include:
Victoria's International Education Recovery Plan 2025
On 6 September 2022, Victoria's International Education Recovery Plan 2025 was launched. The plan outlines the Victorian 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.
Supporting international students through global Study Melbourne Hubs
The Victorian Government's global network of Study Melbourne Hubs in Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, South Asia and Latin America provides support to our current international students who are studying online offshore, as well as prospective students and alumni.
The Hubs also showcase Victoria’s global leadership in digital training and education innovation by connecting edtech companies, education providers, educators, researchers and investors to grow Victoria’s education services sector.
Victoria's education providers have experience in partnering with international organisations to deliver:
- online learning
- joint qualifications
- pathway programs
- tailored curriculum development
- staff and student exchange
- research collaboration
- aid and development projects
- vocational teacher training programs
- consultancy services
- customised workforce development programs
Victoria has leading capabilities across the following areas:
Research and higher education
Our universities offer cutting edge facilities, internationally engaged academic staff, outstanding graduate outcomes and access to world-leading research infrastructures such as:
- Australian Synchrotron – world-class national research facility
- Carbon Nexus – carbon fibre research facility
- AgriBio – agricultural biosciences research and development facility.
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre – cancer research, education, treatment and care.
Vocational education and training
Victoria's 12 public Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions and more than 1100 registered training organisations offer training that is competency based, industry-led and quality assured to suit the needs of employers, governments, businesses, aid and development agencies and education institutions around the world.
Australia's robust accreditation systems are recognised worldwide and Victorian providers deliver programs in the classroom, at the workplace and online with teaching teams of industry experts who either work or have worked in the fields they teach.
Vocational teacher training
The Victorian Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is underpinned by VET trainer and assessor qualifications. Our industry experts can collaborate with overseas partners to adapt these qualifications to meet the needs of each specific country.
English language training
Victorian English language teacher training qualifications are recognised across the world.
Our skills and expertise in English language teacher training span all levels of education - from early childhood education to professional learning - with our English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector attracting large numbers of students, particularly from the Asia Pacific region.
1: QS Best Student Cities 2025.
2: Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024, International Trade: Supplementary Information, Calendar Year 2023.
3: Australian Department of Education 2024, International student numbers by country, by state and territory.