Study Melbourne’s stakeholders are central to the work we do and the sector’s collective success. Whether connecting with individual students or facilitating global education partnerships – Study Melbourne strives for genuine, purposeful and reciprocal engagement that delivers value to the international education sector in Victoria.

As the sector navigates a rapidly shifting domestic and global context, collaboration with and between stakeholders from across the education ecosystem is critical to ensure Victoria retains its position as a leader in international education.

An enabler of current and future priority industries, Victoria’s education and training sector has a fundamental role to play in the state’s economic growth. International education’s impact is far reaching and the benefits extend to all corners of Victoria’s community. It brings diverse perspectives and global connections to classrooms, drives cutting-edge research and development, attracts global talent and international investment, boosts tourism through visiting friends and relatives, and helps to meet future skills needs across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Study Melbourne works closely with the sector to realise these benefits and respond to emerging opportunities and risks. This includes fostering increased collaboration and coordination across Victoria’s TAFEs to enhance international awareness of TAFEs’ value and support sustainable growth in their international education delivery.

If the international education sector is to remain competitive and grow sustainably, it is essential that the right national policy settings are in place. The Australian Government has a central role to play ensuring the preconditions for a successful sector are realised – through clear and stabilised migration and border settings, education and skills policy, fit-for-purpose regulatory settings including for online and offshore education delivery, Australian bilateral relations, and the Study Australia national brand as a welcoming education destination. It is critical that state and territory governments and the sector are engaged as genuine partners in the transition to ‘managed growth’ to ensure it does not become ‘managed constraint’. Changes to Australia’s international education policy settings must be introduced and implemented transparently and fairly to avoid unintended consequences. In recognition of this, pursuing effective and constructive engagement and advocacy will remain a core focus for Victoria.

Aims

• Continue to drive collaboration with and between stakeholders representing all parts of the education ecosystem– including students, education providers, industry bodies, community organisations, employers and local, state and Australian Government agencies.
• Continue to identify and implement strategic responses to trends, risks and opportunities facing the international education sector, including addressing global challenges such as climate change.
• Effectively advocate to the Australian Government on critical issues impacting Victoria’s international education sector to ensure optimal national policy and operational settings for a sustainable and competitive sector.

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