The Study Melbourne Careers Fair is an initiative by the Victorian Government to address skills shortages, build cultural diversity in the local workforce, and improve employment opportunities for international students and graduates.
Why international students and graduates?
International students and graduates are high-calibre talent who can make an important contribution to Victoria’s skills base and business needs. They bring a breadth of skills and experience including intercultural awareness and global connections, in addition to their Australian qualification. Many international students develop in-demand skills through their studies and also have relevant professional experience.
Benefits for employers
There are substantial benefits for employers who hire international students and graduates, including but not limited to:
- Access a wide pool of high-calibre talent from a variety of disciplines.
- Address skills gaps while building an internationally focused workforce.
- Enhance diversity in the workplace, fostering creativity and innovation.
- Strengthen their organisation's brand visibility among Victoria's international student community.
- Experience high loyalty and commitment from international graduates.
2026 Study Melbourne Careers Fair: Event Recap
The Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair 2026 welcomed over 1,300 Victorian international students to the iconic State Library of Victoria on 24 March. The event created pathways to meaningful employment by bridging the gap between international students, recent graduates and industry.
Students and graduates connected with employers, industry experts, and professional networks across sectors such as education, healthcare, engineering, transport, hospitality, represented by organisations like the AFL, L’Oréal, and the Department of Transport and Planning. These partnerships help develop a skilled, globally minded workforce that enriches Victoria's economy and bolsters industries with fresh talent and diversity.
A huge thank you to those organisations and their representatives who joined us on the day. Study Melbourne continues to work towards building partnerships that support our international student community and enable them to shine on a global stage.
View transcript
Duration: 1:08
[Background music begins.]
[On-screen text: Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair 2026]
[On-screen text: Shra Shekhar Regional Manager Hays Recruitment]
Shra Shekhar:
As an employer, we are definitely here to hire international students. We're not here just for the sake of being here. We're definitely here to meet the right candidates and talent and international students.
International student 1:
I came here for internship opportunities and there were two companies in particular that were pretty helpful and even apart from that, it was nice to see that they had career guidance as well as support for students.
[On-screen text: Pat Dissanayake National Manager Bupa]
Pat Dissanayake:
With international students, you actually find that they're really resilient in any sort of role that you put them in. They're willing to learn, willing to develop and they also come up with really amazing ideas.
International student 2:
I've noticed a lot of employers, big firms around the fair, so I'm really looking forward to maybe get an internship or potential job experience in the future.
[On-screen text: Lily Simmons Talent & Development Lead L'Oréal]
Lily Simmons:
Having international students in our team allows us to have their different perspectives, different insights. They can bring ideas that maybe our local team wouldn't have thought of.
International student 3:
There's a lot of companies going on and I actually talked to three of them and they're really helpful.
[On-screen text: Study Melbourne Victoria Logo]
[Background music ends.]
[End of transcript.]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a cost for employers to participate?
No, participation in the Careers Fair is free for employers. A light lunch will be provided. The event is fully supported by Study Melbourne.
Must employers have current job openings to attend?
No, employers are not obliged to have active vacancies. You can engage with students about potential opportunities as well as your graduate program, internship and work integrated learning opportunities.
Are employers expected to provide visa sponsorship for graduates?
No, visa sponsorship is not expected. Most international students qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa (subclass 485) upon graduation, which allows full work rights for its duration (usually 2 – 3 years).
What industries will be represented at the Careers Fair?
The event hosts employers across diverse industries, including technology, engineering, business and finance, consumer goods, consulting and more.
How many students typically attend the Careers Fair?
Since its inception, each year’s Careers Fair has attracted over a thousand of international students on the day, providing an excellent platform for employers to engage with top talent in Victoria.
What qualifications or areas of study will be represented at the Careers Fair?
The Careers Fair will feature students enrolled in a wide range of courses (including IT, engineering, business and healthcare) at the undergraduate and graduate level (universities, TAFEs and colleges) as well as recent graduates. Students and graduates will have a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds as well as in-demand skills gained through their studies, relevant professional experience, Australian qualifications, intercultural awareness, and global connections.
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