The Allan Labor Government is backing international education and supporting Victorian universities and TAFEs to expand their global footprint − cementing Victoria as Australia's education capital.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson today visited William Angliss Institute to announce 16 Victorian education providers will share in up to $5 million under the Yes to International Students Fund.
The innovative investment will focus on transnational education - offering targeted seed funding to Victorian universities and TAFEs so they can kick start and grow partnerships to deliver more education overseas.
Transnational education is the delivery of Australian courses to international students outside Australia, where a university or TAFE may set up a campus offshore or co-deliver courses with a reputable international institution.
These partnerships will strengthen the state's global presence by creating new courses and expanding existing programs, offering student exchange programs and more - highlighting what Australia's education capital has to offer to students.
Among the recipients is William Angliss Institute who provide vocational education for more than 3,000 international students with a strong focus on hospitality, tourism and culinary arts ─ supporting thousands of Victorian jobs.
Recent data from Tourism Research Australia's 2023-24 State Tourism Satellite Account, shows Victoria's record-breaking $40 billion visitor economy supported 288,800 filled jobs - including 183,800 direct tourism jobs - with nearly three quarters in hospitality, accommodation and retail.
William Angliss Institute will use its grant to deliver new diplomas and develop bilingual learning resources, establishing its presence in the global market, while providing a pathway for Vietnamese students to undertake further study in Victoria.
Another recipient, La Trobe University, will use their grant to offer study tours for Southeast Asian students, help connect Chinese students with Victorian startups and pilot a business and IT training program in Thailand.
Making Victoria's world-class education more accessible to the globe brings huge benefits back to the state - growing the economy, strengthening the global reputation of Victoria's institutions, and giving staff and students the mobility and opportunities for research, career development and future collaboration.
The Victorian Government is once again calling on the Federal Government to axe international student caps ─ a cap on international students is a cap on economic growth. International education generated $15.9 billion in revenue last year for the Victorian economy and supported 64,000 jobs across the state.
The Yes to International Students Fund will make Victoria's offering to International Students even stronger.
It's funded through the Labor Government's Economic Growth Statement as a key initiative to support education providers for global opportunities ─ backing Victoria's growth.
The Victorian Budget 2025/26 is investing $18.6 million to continue backing international education programs and services, supporting the sector to navigate the national and international landscape and ensure Melbourne remains Australia's best student city.
For a full list of the grant recipients, visit: studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/YISF.
As stated by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson
"We are backing international students because they drive jobs and the economy and boost Victoria's global reputation."
"As Australia's education state, we stand against student caps and with our universities and TAFEs."
"This fund will ensure students can benefit from the world class education Victoria has to offer while supporting innovation and deepening cultural ties."
As stated by Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
"The Yes to International Students Fund is about backing our world-class universities and TAFEs to take Victorian education to the world."
As stated by William Angliss Institute CEO Grant Dreher
"This support from the Victorian Government allows us to take William Angliss Institute beyond borders. By partnering with two respected Vietnamese institutions, we're building a scalable, sustainable model for transnational education that opens real pathways for students to study in Victoria."
