International education | Priorities and initiatives | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:32
International education | Priorities and initiatives | Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
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Priorities and initiatives
International education
International education - economic and social value
What are the economic and social impacts of international education?
Victoria’s largest services export is international education.
It is vital to the future economic and social prosperity of Victoria. It is a source of future employment for Victorians.
There is a growing global demand for education services. The sector sees between 5 and 6 million tertiary students studying outside of their country of citizenship every year.
Victoria has a worldwide reputation for quality, innovation, inclusion and an exceptional student experience. It places us in a strong position to capitalise on these demands.
Our world-class tertiary organisations drive our position as a global leader in education. These organisations include:
universities
dual-sector institutions
TAFEs
independent education and training providers.
The numbers
In 2024, the sector:
generated $15.9 billion in export revenue, made up of international student fees and broader student spend on services such as accommodation, food and domestic travel within Australia
contributed around 64,000 jobs to the Victorian economy
had a 30% share of total Australian enrolments.
View updated
top charts and insights into Victoria’s international education sector
on the Study Melbourne website.
The impacts
Strong alumni networks
Victoria’s international student alumni go on to become economic, political and cultural leaders.
Strong international alumni networks enable lasting and meaningful connections between alumni and Victoria. Alumni networks also support:
Victoria’s international connectedness
global research development
trade and business links.
First rate student experiences
Victoria has a coordinated approach to student support and cultural engagement, facilitated through
Study Melbourne
. This is an attractive proposition for:
international students
parents
governments
industry.
Our vibrant multicultural society and social inclusion attracted around 330,000 international enrolments from over 180 countries to Victoria in 2024.
QS Best Student Cities 2026
awarded Melbourne as:
best student city in Australia
fifth best student city in the world.
Victoria is a knowledge state
Victoria is Australia's most educated state. We produce highly skilled professionals who promote our institutions globally.
Six Victorian universities ranked in the top 300 universities in the world, with 2 in the top 50 (
QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities
).
The University of Melbourne and Monash University ranked #1 and #5 in Australia (
QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities
).
Five Victorian universities ranked in the Top 100 Young University rankings (Times Higher Education,
Young University Rankings 2024
).
How do we support international education?
We offer support and programs to:
international students studying and living in our state
Victorian international education providers.
This includes:
supporting international students to have the best possible experience studying and living in Victoria
promoting Victoria’s position as a destination of choice
supporting Victorian education businesses in global markets
building partnerships for a strong sector.
For more information, visit the
Study Melbourne
website.
Page last updated:
29 December 2025
Skip to content
Skip to navigation
Home
Priorities and initiatives
International education
International education - economic and social value
What are the economic and social impacts of international education?
Victoria’s largest services export is international education.
It is vital to the future economic and social prosperity of Victoria. It is a source of future employment for Victorians.
There is a growing global demand for education services. The sector sees between 5 and 6 million tertiary students studying outside of their country of citizenship every year.
Victoria has a worldwide reputation for quality, innovation, inclusion and an exceptional student experience. It places us in a strong position to capitalise on these demands.
Our world-class tertiary organisations drive our position as a global leader in education. These organisations include:
universities
dual-sector institutions
TAFEs
independent education and training providers.
The numbers
In 2024, the sector:
generated $15.9 billion in export revenue, made up of international student fees and broader student spend on services such as accommodation, food and domestic travel within Australia
contributed around 64,000 jobs to the Victorian economy
had a 30% share of total Australian enrolments.
View updated
top charts and insights into Victoria’s international education sector
on the Study Melbourne website.
The impacts
Strong alumni networks
Victoria’s international student alumni go on to become economic, political and cultural leaders.
Strong international alumni networks enable lasting and meaningful connections between alumni and Victoria. Alumni networks also support:
Victoria’s international connectedness
global research development
trade and business links.
First rate student experiences
Victoria has a coordinated approach to student support and cultural engagement, facilitated through
Study Melbourne
. This is an attractive proposition for:
international students
parents
governments
industry.
Our vibrant multicultural society and social inclusion attracted around 330,000 international enrolments from over 180 countries to Victoria in 2024.
QS Best Student Cities 2026
awarded Melbourne as:
best student city in Australia
fifth best student city in the world.
Victoria is a knowledge state
Victoria is Australia's most educated state. We produce highly skilled professionals who promote our institutions globally.
Six Victorian universities ranked in the top 300 universities in the world, with 2 in the top 50 (
QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities
).
The University of Melbourne and Monash University ranked #1 and #5 in Australia (
QS World University Rankings 2026: Top global universities
).
Five Victorian universities ranked in the Top 100 Young University rankings (Times Higher Education,
Young University Rankings 2024
).
How do we support international education?
We offer support and programs to:
international students studying and living in our state
Victorian international education providers.
This includes:
supporting international students to have the best possible experience studying and living in Victoria
promoting Victoria’s position as a destination of choice
supporting Victorian education businesses in global markets
building partnerships for a strong sector.
For more information, visit the
Study Melbourne
website.
Page last updated:
29 December 2025