Melbourne has been recognised as one of the world's best cities to live and study, reinforcing Victoria's reputation as an attractive destination for global talent, investment and business.
For Victorian businesses that export, these results are a strong signal that Victoria offers the kind of environment global businesses need to hire talent, operate with confidence and grow across borders.
The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Melbourne third out of 173 cities in its 2026 Global Liveability Index, behind only Copenhagen and Vienna, with a score of 97 out of 100 compared with a global average of 76.1. Around the same time, QS Best Student Cities 2027 placed Melbourne fourth in the world and first in Australia, ahead of every other Australian city and behind only Seoul, Tokyo and London. The recognition comes as Victoria continues to strengthen its international education sector and support businesses to expand into global markets.
Together, the rankings highlight the qualities that matter to globally connected businesses: stability, strong institutions, skilled talent and an environment where people choose to build long-term careers. These strengths help create the kind of operating environment businesses need to compete internationally.
In a global economy shaped by supply chain disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and shifting regulation, companies need more than strong products and services. They need reliable infrastructure, trusted institutions and access to talented people who choose to stay.
The Economist Intelligence Unit assesses cities across stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure and culture and environment, and Melbourne performed strongly across all five, achieving perfect scores in healthcare and education. QS assesses university strength, employer activity, affordability, desirability and the student experience. Melbourne earned the world's top score for student mix, a reflection of how diverse and international the city has become.
Talent connects the dots
Whether in advanced manufacturing, medtech, clean technology, professional services or food and fibre, Victorian businesses compete for skilled people. Researchers, engineers, technicians and specialists have more choice than ever about where they build their careers, and increasingly choose cities that combine quality of life with strong professional opportunities.
Melbourne's liveability and reputation as a leading student city help Victorian exporters attract and retain international talent.
International education drives export value
International education is one of Victoria's largest services exports in its own right. In 2025, the sector generated $17.9 billion in export revenue and supported around 69,000 jobs across the state. Its impact goes well beyond those numbers.
International students often become future business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and trade partners who help to open doors in key overseas markets. They also carry their connection to Victoria wherever they go.
Victoria is building on this strength through Study Melbourne's Study with Victoria strategy, which is a long-term plan backed by $18.6 million over two years to improve the international student experience, grow global education partnerships and cement Victoria's position as a leading education destination in the Asia-Pacific.
A unique advantage that others can't easily match
Melbourne's strengths are especially valuable because they cannot be replicated overnight.
Victoria is home to globally recognised universities such as the University of Melbourne and Monash University, advanced infrastructure, strong public services and a highly skilled workforce.
These strengths are the result of decades of sustained investment in education, research, infrastructure and public institutions. They are difficult to replicate, giving Victoria a lasting competitive advantage in attracting talent and supporting globally connected businesses.
A strong signal, and a foundation to build on
Strong products, innovation, execution and robust customer relationships lay the foundations of export success. But what these rankings offer is independent confirmation that Melbourne continues to provide the conditions businesses care about most — stability, capability, connectivity and access to highly skilled talent.
At Global Victoria, our team works with businesses to turn those strengths into commercial opportunity, helping them reach new markets, build international partnerships and grow with confidence.
Melbourne's global standing reinforces an important message for Victorian exporters. Behind Victoria's export success is an operating environment recognised among the world's strongest for stability, capability and talent.
