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Applications will be assessed using the four-stage process below. It may take 8 to 12 weeks from the closing date until a formal funding agreement is signed.

  1. Eligibility and risk assessment

    Study Melbourne program staff will review applications to make sure your organisation and the proposed activity are eligible for funding under the SMIP.

  2. Panel assessment

    A panel will then consider all eligible applications. Study Melbourne may invite individuals with subject matter expertise, who come from other organisations and government agencies, to provide advice if required.

    The panel will:

    • 1. review applications individually
    • 2. compare them with the value and benefits offered by other applications
    • 3. develop a list of applications they recommend be approved, subject to funding being available.

  3. Approval

    Recommended applications will be considered for funding approval.

  4. Notification of result

    Each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application, and successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer.

Due Diligence Assessments

Applicants are subject to a risk assessment which verifies business details provided with the Australian Business Register, Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commissioner, Consumer Affairs Victoria and/or other applicable regulator.

Any of the following circumstances may be taken into consideration in any decision whether to award a grant:

  • Financial standing of the applicant
  • Previous performance of State government grants
  • Any adverse findings by a regulator regarding an applicant;
  • An applicant is placed under external administration;
  • There is a petition to wind up or deregister the applicant;
  • The applicant is or becomes deregistered or unregistered (including cancellation or lapse in registration); and
  • Whether the applicant has failed to meet key contractual obligations for previous grant agreements with the State. Note: as appropriate, delays due to COVID-19 restrictions and responses will be taken into consideration at the Department’s discretion.

The Department may at any time, remove an applicant from the application and assessment process, if in the Department’s opinion, association with the applicant may bring the Department, a Minister or the State of Victoria into disrepute

Assessment criteria

Panel Members will be guided by the questions provided below when assessing Study Melbourne Inclusion Program (SMIP) applications. Each application will be given a point score against the seven main question and weighted accordingly.

1. Event/Activity Description (20% Weighting)

The panel may consider:

  • whether the proposal is cost effective and represents value for money;
  • whether the proposed activity is new and innovative. Does it build on or extend existing approaches OR does it duplicate existing services or activities; and
  • whether the application’s activity and budget plans are thorough, logical and realistic.

2. Student issues to be addressed through the project (15% Weighting)

The panel may consider:

  • whether the applicant has properly articulated the wellbeing issue/s being addressed;
  • if the applicant has described how or why their project will address those issues;
  • whether there are any gaps in logic or issues with how the activity addresses student needs; and
  • what the likely immediate and long-term benefits would be for international students in Victoria.

3. Describe who the project is aiming to attract as participants (15% Weighting)

The panel may consider:

  • the number of students that will be supported;
  • whether international students will be genuinely involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of the activity;
  • whether the proposed activity has considered the cultural and language needs of students; and
  • whether the project will be open to all international students to participate, or target students from particular education providers or cultural groups.

4. Outline any ways the activity will support the wider international educational community in Victoria (15% Weighting)

The panel may consider:

  • the likely response the proposed activity would receive from the international education sector and students;
  • whether the activity will improve the leadership capability of international students;
  • the potential for building the capacity of international student groups and organisations; and
  • if feasible, whether the activity will reach and support students in regional Victorian locations.

5. Describe how the organisation intends to manage the delivery of this activity (15% Weighting)

The panel may consider whether the applicant and activity partners:

  • have a clearly established partnership to deliver the project, and whether they are suitable to the delivery of the proposed activities;
  • have defined the relevant roles and responsibilities to deliver the project;
  • have the resources to deliver the activity, manage the funding, and report on the progress and outcomes; and
  • have experience in the international education sector and/or working with international students.

6. How will the organisation record progress and report the end results? (10% Weighting)

The panel may consider:

  • whether the activity and its intended outcomes have been well considered;
  • what, if any, evaluations will be undertaken as a way of measuring project success;
  • whether funding has been allocated in the applicant’s budget plan for monitoring and evaluation activities i.e. student surveys; and
  • whether the lead applicant has outlined any relevant experience in the satisfactory acquittal of external funding.

7. How does the organisation intend to promote Study Melbourne as part of the activity? (10% Weighting)

The panel may consider:

  • whether the applicant has provided a detailed approach towards marketing and promotion of their project;
  • whether funding has been allocated in the applicant’s budget plan for marketing activities and/or has outlined any in-house marketing expertise;
  • whether there are marketing and communication channels which have not been considered; and
  • whether the promotions intended for Study Melbourne are appropriate.

If your application is approved

Your organisation will be sent a formal Letter of Offer.

  • You will have two weeks to accept the offer to enter into a legal funding agreement with the State of Victoria, through the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR). The funding agreement will set out the agreed terms and conditions, how and when you will receive the funding and what you will be expected to achieve in return for the funding.
  • The funding agreement will be between the lead applicant and the State of Victoria through DJSIR. If you have activity partners, they will not be parties to the funding agreement, though you may be asked to provide supporting documents from the partners as part of the application process.
  • You will have 12 months from the date of the funding agreement to deliver the activity. In exceptional circumstances, DJSIR may agree to allow a longer timeframe to complete the activity and may consider multi-year funding.

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