Victoria is at the forefront of research and innovation in Australia. It's not just a place for studies; it's a playground for tech enthusiasts, scientists and creative minds. When you decide to study here, you're not only choosing a world-class education, you're choosing a centre for research and innovation.
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[Speaker on Monash University campus talking to camera, text on screen: Dr Javiera Olivares Rojas PhD - Research Fellow at Monash University, Chile]
Speaker 1, Javiera: For international students that are looking to complete their research studies here in Melbourne or Victoria.
[Visuals include hot air balloons over Melbourne city with MCG in the foreground, two friends walking along the Yarra river, Melbourne's bustling laneways, BBQ picnic on the Yarra, running to greet friends on Melbourne University campus]
I think it's important to note that because Victoria is such a multicultural state and it has such a diverse community, it is very easy to find a taste of home and a sense of belonging while you're completing your studies.
[Javiera walking with a friend, gum trees in background]
[Text on screen: Dr. Amanda Caples Victoria's Lead Scientist, speaker with Melbourne skyline in background]
Speaker 2, Amanda: Victoria has had a long term agenda in establishing a science, innovation and technology precinct.
What's really important for international students is to have the transferable skills that they need to apply wherever they are in the world, and to be up to date with the technology that is current across contemporary societies.
[Visuals of international students at a conference, on campus, working on a laptop, with friends, Javiera working on her laptop, students in a research lab, fashion design, woodworking course]
And so that opportunity is available through study in Melbourne, in Victoria.
That hands on experience alongside the formal study, really enables our students to have that 360 degree experience that all employers are seeking across the world.
[Visuals of Melbourne University heritage buildings, student trying VR glasses, in lecture theatre, students in industrial kitchen, working with drone in wheat field]
Beyond Melbourne, regional Victoria provides students with the opportunity to cover a wide range of disciplines, from nursing, ICT, as well as agriculture.
And one of the reasons why students choose Melbourne is because Melbourne is regarded as a tech city, and we've established that reputation over the last 15 years, and students are able to undertake the digital skills, learning the application, the research that they need to be the founders of the next startups in digital technology.
[Visuals include high rise city buildings, ICT set up on campus, lecturer, students enjoying classes, Javiera making notes on whiteboard, students working with mentors]
[Study Melbourne, Victoria, Australia logo]
Victoria’s universities are global giants in research
The University of Melbourne and Monash University are ranked number 13 and 37 in the world respectively, attracting academics and students from around the globe. Both universities excel in research due to their investment in state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, the presence of distinguished academic teams that actively engage in international collaborations, and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research.
This dynamic collaboration between education and industry will enhance your experience, providing hands-on learning opportunities, internships, and exposure to real-world challenges. In return, industries gain access to a talented, well-prepared workforce, ready to contribute to their growth and success.
Research hubs and precincts
Melbourne is home to some of Australia's best and most innovative research facilities. These include the Synchrotron, at which researchers produce light sources a million times brighter than the sun, and CSIRO, Australia's multi-disciplinary science organisation focusing on Australians’ quality of life as well as economic and social well being.
Victoria also boasts leading research hubs and precincts. The Melbourne Biomedical Precinct for instance, is a leading global hub for medical research, while the Melbourne Arts Precinct nurtures artistic innovation. The state's collaboration between industry and higher education is evident in initiatives like the Monash Technology Precinct and RMIT's Advanced Manufacturing Precinct that emphasises hands-on learning and research in partnership with industry experts. Comprising more than 13 major medical research institutes, 11 teaching hospitals and 9 universities, Victoria is also home to Australia’s largest bioscience research community.
In regional Victoria, innovation continues to thrive across various precincts, each catering to specific sectors and fostering collaboration. The Ballarat Innovation Precinct serves as a dynamic hub for tech entrepreneurs and start-ups, offering co-working spaces and networking groups to facilitate skill development and idea incubation. Meanwhile, the Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct addresses the industrial land shortage, projecting the creation of 3,000 jobs over the next 15 years and providing a platform for business expansion in the Bendigo region.
Gippsland boasts a rapidly growing sector with the establishment of the Hi-Tech Precinct, strategically focusing on research, business development, and start-up support. This precinct accelerates technology adoption in key growth sectors like health, food, advanced manufacturing, and new energy. Additionally, centres like the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre in Mildura concentrate on sustainability and resilience, driving investment in areas such as horticulture, water use, energy and the environment. Wodonga's TAFE Logical Innovation Precinct positions the city for cutting-edge advancements, offering training and investment in crucial future areas, ensuring significant growth and expanded opportunities for international graduates in local industries like heavy vehicle transport, logistics, civil construction, defence and robotics.
ICT Research and Development
Melbourne is Australia's leading tech city, home to more than half of Australia's top 20 technology companies. Victoria's ICT industry has over 8,000 companies, including many international firms such as IBM, Microsoft and Intel. Victoria's ICT industry is a substantial industry, generating A$34 billion in revenue annually and employing around 91,300 people directly. It is internationally competitive, generating annual exports of around A$2.5 billion. The ICT industry workforce underpins innovation and competitiveness across Victoria's economy and accounts for approximately 31 per cent of Australia's ICT workforce.
Research institutes include:
- CSIRO's Data61 is Australia’s leading data innovation group, officially formed in 2016 from the integration of CSIRO’s Digital Productivity flagship and the National ICT Australia Ltd (NICTA)
- The Microsoft Centre of Social Natural User Interfaces (NUI) at the University of Melbourne
- The Centre for Technology Infusion based at La Trobe University
- Victoria University’s Centre for Applied Informatics (CAI)
- The Internet 4 Things research group at Swinburne University
- The Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information is actively involved in IP Generation and broad sector spatial solutions.
Discover Australia's technology hub, home to more than half of Australia's top 20 technology companies.
View transcript
[Restaurant with chefs working and diners eating in background]
Speaker: I think melbourne has many unique features.
Melbourne is in the time zone that overlaps with many Asia pac countries.
That makes a lot of interaction very easy and it's also the hub connecting Asia pac to the European countries and the United States.
Melbourne is also the fastest growing city in Australia.
This is a market that embraces new technology to improve productivity. It is a place has a lot of potential, a lot of demand for the RTT companies like us.
Living in Melbourne is so comfortable, the longer you stay here the more you love it (speaker laughs).
EdTech
The government's support for the tech ecosystem is further exemplified by its commitment to EdTech, where Melbourne is Australia’s edtech capital – the home to 33% of Australia’s edtech companies.
Melbourne fosters an environment conducive to innovation and thought leadership in digital learning. The industry benefits greatly from Victoria's research strengths, offering students holistic experiences that prepare them for dynamic global careers. The local talent pool is brimming with professionals in software development, engineering, e-learning, and learning design. In fact, Victoria surpasses Singapore and Hong Kong in the number of skilled tech professionals, making it a prime destination for edtech endeavours.
Melbourne's edtech landscape is further enriched by the Consortium of Educational Technology to provide ample opportunities for collaboration and growth. Moreover, the Victorian Government's substantial investments, including initiatives like the Tech Schools program and STEM Center of Excellence, create a supportive environment for edtech businesses.
Start-ups
Victoria is home to more than 3,400 startups – technology-driven companies that use innovative business models and technology to grow quickly and service global markets. The enterprise value of Victoria's entire startup ecosystem (including startups, scaleups and unicorns) is now $103 billion.
View transcript
[On screen, numbers counting down appear from 10 down to 1]
Voice over: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and lift off.
[Loud, up-beat music visuals zooming in to Melbourne on map of Victoria, text on screen: Victoria's start up sector is growing.
[Text on screen: 16 X in just 6 years. Same size as Tel Aviv in 2016. Visuals of laneway art, bikes and trams. Start up posters on laneway bricks.]
[Text on screen: Scaleups and unicorns. Visuals of Flinder's Street Station at night. Text: Now worth $91 billion early stage value up 56% in 1 year. $23.6 billion to $37 billion.}
[Visuals of busy Melbourne shopping street, text: 3,200+ Victorian startups, 1,300 created since 2020. Scenes over Melbourne's rooftops.]
[Text on screen: 52,000+ people employed. Top 25 ecosystem for talent, experience. Recognised for B2B enterprise tech, Health tech, Fintech, Media and entertainment. Startups, scaleups, unicorns. Start, grow, succeed here.]
[Launchvic words and icon on screen with text: Fuelling the startup state.]
LaunchVic is a government-backed initiative that supports entrepreneurs and investors, driving economic and cultural benefits for the state. Its primary mission is to encourage the development of startups by supporting programs aimed at developing the skills of founders, investors and talents. LaunchVic not only supports the creation of jobs and revenue but also makes Melbourne, Victoria an attractive business destination.
New energy technology
Victoria has easy access to world-class renewable energy resources in wind, solar, marine and biofuels. In the past 20 years we have been at the forefront of energy sector development in Australia, leading electricity market reform. Read about clean energy in Victoria.
As a student in Victoria, you'll be part of this thriving ecosystem, benefiting from cutting-edge research while contributing to the state's innovation-driven industries. It's an educational journey that not only equips you for global career success but also empowers you to be at the forefront of industry advancements.
If you’re a student seeking research and development opportunities, the Victorian government offers a wealth of support and resources. Explore more in the links below:
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