SafeStudy Creators Lab

The project is an innovative, student-led safety initiative to strengthen international students' awareness, confidence and practical skills in identifying and preventing scams. The project will work with international students to create short films portraying real-life scam scenarios experienced by international students and the output will be free for organisations and students to access online.

Welcoming International Students to AFL

It is a culturally responsive program designed to strengthen international students' wellbeing, social connection and confidence engaging in community life. Delivered in partnership with North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs AFL clubs, the initiative will engage 150–200 international students through two marquee “Welcome to AFL” experiences aligned to each club’s Cultural Heritage Series match. Each partner club will host a 1-hour fun introductory AFL session, followed by premium seating at a Cultural Heritage Series AFL match.

International Student Driving Experience Program: Road Ready Victoria

This is an expanded and redesigned road safety project for international students. It introduces new elements supporting safety outcomes, broader student participation and clear potential for statewide delivery.

1. Road ready Victoria workshops and VR driving simulations
2. Guided pedestrian and public transport safety trips
3. Learner driver pathway sessions for students without driving experience
4. Subsidised professional driving lessons

International Student Art Showcase

The project is a week-long temporary exhibition celebrating the creativity and lived experience of the Victorian international student community. The exhibition, to be hosted at the Immigration Museum, will be open for all international students to visit. There will be some training workshops to train students on storytelling, photography and creative media to demonstrate their stories.

Regional Hockey Experience

Hockey Victoria will deliver a 3-day regional hockey program at each partner regional association (totalling 6 days) in Geelong and Bendigo, and welcome students to attend a Hockey One match in 2026. The program will be an introduction to hockey, designed specifically for international students.

Live, Learn, Connect with buddies

This wellbeing and inclusion program is designed to support the emotional, social, and cultural adaptation of international students in Victoria, particularly those from Latin America. The initiative combines evidence-based psychosocial workshops, creative and recreational activities, and a structured buddy system pairing new students with current ones to foster leadership, empathy and belonging.

Well Fed & Ferments

The project will deliver both food assistance and educational workshops to international students. This new iteration of ‘Well Fed’ sees a partnership between Just Food Collective and Farm to Ferment. There will be five "Well Fed & Ferments" lunch activities held at the Hub, followed by five fermentation workshops. Student interns will be recruited to run the workshops.

Thriving in Victoria: Intercultural Leadership and Wellbeing Program

Led by La Trobe University Business School, in partnership with Victoria University and NAB, the program delivers a structured series of online webinars, in-person workshops, and a sector showcase designed to strengthen the wellbeing, belonging, and intercultural leadership of the first-year arrival international students living and studying across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The International Student Water Safety Project

The project will equip students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to safely enjoy Victoria's waterways.

1. Beach water safety education and recreation excursions
2. Water safety education incursion sessions
3. Tertiary institutions campus water safety activations

Beach Buddies

This program is innovative, combining two complementary coastal sports, beach tennis and surfing, in a structured yet social format targeted specifically at international students — a group currently underrepresented in Victorian beach-sport programs. Also, water-safety guidance and supervision will be provided to ensure a safe and supportive environment for international students.

Enhancing International Student Engagement in Mental Health Support through Co-Design

The project led by Swinburne University in partnership with Orygen explores ways to enhance its peer-to-peer education model to better support the mental health and wellbeing of international students. International students will be trained in Mental Health First Aid to support engagement during codesigning and assist with the rollout of solutions. Research outcomes will be presented and shared with the broader international education community.

HEX Career Sprint Series

This is a six-month initiative designed to enhance employability wellbeing and belonging for international students in Victoria. It offers a structured yet flexible experience blinding professional development with social connections:

1. Kick-off event
2. Three core employability workshops
3. Closing event

The Lounge International Global Wellbeing Program

This global wellness program supports new and current international students in Geelong with their health and wellbeing, including mental health challenges. It comprises 10 health and wellbeing workshops that will feature and be inspired by different health rituals or traditions from around the world and will conclude with a celebration event. The workshops include Chinese Tai Chi or Qigong, Indian Yoga & Meditation and Global Sound Bowls to engage with a wide range of international students from multicultural backgrounds.

Stone Soup food literacy workshop series

Stone Soup presents shared cook-ups of cheap and fresh nutritious meals for international students. Sessions are welcoming, accessible, hands-on cooking demonstrations, followed by a shared meal. Six workshops will be held at the Hub, the Couch and Federation University Ballarat and Berwick campuses.