- Population: 167,764, 17% born overseas
- Education providers: Bendigo TAFE, La Trobe University and RMIT University
- Distance from Melbourne: 150km
View transcript
Video Title: Why international students choose Bendigo
Duration: 0:33
[Background music starts.]
[On-screen text: Why Bendigo?]
Speaker 1:
I chose Bendigo because the peaceful environment allows me to focus on my studies.
Speaker 2:
I was drawn to the creative energy here. It’s a country city, but it feels alive with culture.
Speaker 3:
There’s such a great connection between the local community and the uni. It doesn’t feel separated – it feels shared.
[On-screen text: How’s the lifestyle?]
Speaker 1:
I live on campus, so my lifestyle has a nice balance of studying and socialising.
Speaker 2:
It’s relaxed but vibrant. I feel inspired by the people here.
Speaker 3:
You get the best of both worlds – the career opportunities and a lifestyle that lets you enjoy them.
[On-screen text: Study Melbourne Logo]
[Background music ends.]
[End of transcript.]
Key institutions
Bendigo is home to three top education institutions - Bendigo TAFE, La Trobe University, and RMIT University.
Bendigo TAFE
Bendigo TAFE offers a flexible, innovative and dynamic place for learning with a rich multicultural atmosphere. Learn in state of the art facilities and classrooms taught by experienced and passionate teachers.
La Trobe University
La Trobe University offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fields such as health, education, engineering and law. In 2023, the Bendigo campus welcomed a record number of international students.
View transcript
Duration: 2:57
[Background music begins.]
[La Trobe University Australia logo displayed in the bottom-right corner of the video.]
Student: Bendigo is the place where my dreams came true.
Enoch Solomon, Bachelor of Information Technology, La Trobe University Alumni: Coming into uni and this environment, specifically in Bendigo, it allowed me and gave me the space to be a part of something much, much bigger.
[On-screen text: La Trobe Bendigo | Make Yourself at Home]
Qingru He, Master of Information Technology, La Trobe University: I love Australia. I thought it is a friendly environment, so I come here and start my new life.
Siddh Vora, Bachelor of Dentistry, La Trobe University: When I first came here, I was thinking it might be a bit difficult to make friends or things like that, but I've actually found it really easy.
Siddh Vora: I think what I was surprised by the most about Bendigo was how much was happening in Bendigo.
[On-screen text: Bendigo: A Thriving Regional City | Less Than 2 Hours from Melbourne]
[On-screen text: Bendigo: A Thriving Regional City | Many Attractions, Natural Wonders and Events]
[On-screen text: Bendigo: A Thriving Regional City | Rich History, Music, Food and Arts Culture]
Student: It's very convenient to live on this campus. You don't need to worry about safety.
Afia Rishta, Bachelor of Information Technology, La Trobe University: One of the most defining moments in my journey at La Trobe is doing the placement at Bendigo Bank.
Afia Rishta: So at this moment, I'm not only seeking a job after the graduation, I know and I'm really confident about where I am going and which direction my career is going on.
Jessica Tseng, Bachelor of Nursing, La Trobe University: We need to do five placements in this course. I've done two so far, and they both have been really, really good experiences for me. I was pretty fortunate. After my placement, I got a job offer.
Enoch Solomon, Bachelor of Information Technology, La Trobe University Alumni: There are so many opportunities for placements. I naturally transitioned into a casual job while I was still studying and finishing my degree. It was a chance that I felt I couldn't have got if I was studying in a metro city.
Ben Devanny, Digital Operations Centre Director Deloitte, Bendigo: I'm Ben Devanny, Director of Deloitte's Bendigo and Digital Operations Centre. As a firm, we hire around 500 graduates a year.
Ben Devaney: But as we grow out to scale and we're going to have more internships, and how do we have placements and work experience for students. And we're hoping they'll become long-term staff members with us and continue to grow that career here in Bendigo.
[On-screen text: La Trobe Bendigo | La Trobe's Largest Regional Campus]
[On-screen text: La Trobe Bendigo | More Than 4000 Students and 400 Staff]
[On-screen text: La Trobe Bendigo | Partnerships with Major Organisations, Local and Global]
[On-screen text: La Trobe Bendigo | Comfortable, Welcoming On-Campus Accommodation]
[On-screen text: La Trobe Bendigo | Affordable and Enjoyable Lifestyle]
Qingru He: I hope to get a job here. Bendigo is a good choice.
Afia Rishta: I would suggest that students not to underestimate Bendigo. Come to La Trobe. Come to Bendigo.
[End screen text: Study at a University in the World's Top 1% | Study at La Trobe | La Trobe University Australia logo]
[Background music ends.]
[End of transcript]
RMIT University
RMIT University has a long-standing legacy in aviation and offers degrees in aviation and flight training at the Bendigo Airfield. RMIT’s Aviation Academy has trained more than 3,500 pilots since 1994 and has been an industry leader in aerospace education for over 80 years.
Liveability
Recognised as a Silver winner in Victoria's Top Tourism Town Awards 2026, Bendigo is a vibrant regional city in central Victoria, less than two hours by train or car from Melbourne.
Bendigo boasts a rich arts culture, as well as great food, festivals and sporting events. It offers a range of business, employment and educational opportunities and is home to welcoming locals. Bendigo's thriving culture is set against a heritage backdrop reminiscent of the grand European cities that inspired it.
From its opulent gold rush architecture to its bustling arts precinct featuring street art, galleries, First Nations experiences and international exhibitions at Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo offers a cultural feast for all.
Recognised as Australia's first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Bendigo celebrates a paddock-to-plate philosophy, with local produce and wine at the heart of its unique food experiences.
With its renowned attractions, vibrant cultural scene and exceptional food and wine, Bendigo is a popular destination for students exploring regional Victoria.
Hear what others say
Key sectors
| Industry | % share |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 19.9% |
| Construction | 8.9% |
| Education and Training | 8.5% |
| Manufacturing | 7.9% |
Note: Data is sourced from the ABS Labour Force Survey November 2025 (Data trended by Jobs and Skills Australia)
Health care and social assistance
Bendigo is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regional cities, and demand for health care and social assistance services continues to grow.
Banking and finance
Headquartered in Bendigo, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is well established Australia wide with over 3,000 staff and over 1 million customers.
Manufacturing and mining
Manufacturing and mining have a strong history in Bendigo, stemming back to the gold rush era.
The Manufacturing industry sector makes the greatest contribution to economic output in the region, which at $4.3 B accounts for 18.42% of total output.
In recent years, food industry manufacturers have also been a source of major job growth in the region.
Innovations and opportunities
Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct
To combat the short supply of industrial land in the region, the City of Greater Bendigo Council is developing a new Bendigo Regional Employment Precinct south of the Marong township. The development is projected to create 3,000 jobs over the next 15 years and will help businesses hoping to expand within or relocate to the Bendigo region.
One Planet Living
Bendigo’s One Planet Living sustainability framework works towards zero waste, equality for all and the preservation of the earth. As a member of Bioregional Australia's One Planet Program, the City of Bendigo is working with partners in the region toward recognition as a One Planet City and Region.
Page last updated:
