By SAT News Desk
MELBOURNE, 26 March: International students are choosing to study in Victoria in record numbers, with more than 200,000 people from 170 countries coming to the state last year. These record numbers follow five years of steady sector growth for an industry that supports more than 58,000 local jobs.
Victoria’s reputation as a premium higher education and research destination has seen Victoria’s total international student numbers grow by 15.2 percent since 2016, outstripping the national average growth rate of 13 percent.
Minister for Trade and Investment Philip Dalidakis says, “International students not only bring culture and innovation to Victoria, they support our economy and support tens of thousands of local jobs.
We understand that it can be both exciting and daunting to move to a new city as a student, so we want to help international students overcome any challenges they may face.”
While Chinese and Indian students continue to be the most ubiquitous in Victoria, other countries are also sending more and more students to Victoria.
New growth countries that emerged in 2017 were Nepal, which saw an increase of more than 50 percent, and Columbia and Sri Lanka, which both saw increases of more than 30 percent.
Over the weekend international students from a diverse range of nationalities gathered to celebrate the start of the 2017 academic year and launch Unlock Melbourne, an app that will help international students safely explore and enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer during their studies. The app is currently available for iPhone and Android.
Victoria’s new International Student Ambassadors have also been announced. The ambassadors are 22 current or former international students who will use their own experiences to support current and prospective students.
With a 32 percent share of Australia’s international student enrolments, the Andrews Labor Government recognizes the importance of student welfare. We have invested in the $4 million International Student Welfare Program and the Study Melbourne student center which provides 24/7 support, counseling, legal services, and social events.
Victoria is the only state in Australia to offer a comprehensive ‘one stop shop’ where international students can go to receive assistance ranging from legal advice and counseling to help to find a social club to get involved with.
