• Population: 15,636, 15% born overseas
• Education providers: Bendigo TAFE - Echuca Campus,  GOTAFE, Institute of Tertiary & Higher Education Australia
• Distance from Melbourne: 210km

Key institutions

The modern Echuca campus of Bendigo TAFE is located in the heart of Echuca. Bendigo TAFE is a registered training organisation (RTO) that delivers vocational education training (VET). It has courses in english language, indigenous, and general education; community services, health and wellbeing; professional industries and sustainability and trade. Bendigo TAFE was Australia’s top large training provider in 2022 (Victorian Training Awards).

GOTAFE Echuca campus is a registered training organisation (RTO) and offers a Diploma in Nursing as well as practical based certificate courses in mechanical technology.

The Institute of Tertiary & Higher Education Australia (ITHEA) offers health based courses in ageing and disability and is a registered training organisation (RTO).

The University of Melbourne, Monash University and Latrobe University have programs placing medical and nursing students in the area, particularly students working at Echuca Regional Health.

Liveability

An historic town set on the beautiful Murray River, separating Victoria and NSW – Echuca boasts more sunny days than Queensland! The town's name, Echuca, is an Aboriginal word from the Yorta Yorta people and means 'the meeting of the waters'.

Visitors and locals enjoy a laid-back lifestyle with plenty of river entertainment such as water skiing, kayaking and fishing as well as cruising the river on one of the historic paddle steamers.

The region has a delicious selection of food and drink experiences both in town and along the historic port area next to the river. There are also many wineries, markets, festivals and breweries throughout the region to explore. Echuca is a great place to begin your silo art trail.

Surrounded by gum trees and native forests, Echuca is a great destination for nature lovers with many walks, cycle trails and camping destinations.

A quick drive across the river and you'll be in the NSW town of Moama. Melbourne is 2 hours and 40 minutes away by car and the larger towns of Bendigo and Shepparton are only an hour away.

Vline trains run services from Melbourne to Echuca via Bendigo and there are local bus services in Echuca.

Key sectors

Health care and social assistance

The health care and social assistance industry is Echuca’s largest employer. 17.8% of locals were working in this industry in 2021. Echuca Regional Health is the largest employer in the shire with over 1000 staff and many graduate programs available.

With the ageing population in Victoria, demand for health care and social assistance services will only continue to grow in the future.

Retail trade

Retail trade keeps 11.4% of locals in work in the bustling Echuca retail trade. Echuca is an important service centre for the surrounding agricultural areas, tourists and local community. If you would like a retail job while you study, then Echuca might be the place for you.

Construction

11% of the Echuca population are employed in the construction area.

Innovations and opportunities

Echuca Skills and Jobs Centre

A new Skills and Jobs Centre opened in Echuca in 2023. It will benefit students with new training, skills and employment opportunities.

Tourism and accommodation

Echuca is a growing tourist destination, and there is a diverse range of opportunities to work in the tourism, food and wine sectors both in town and in the wider regional area.