The City of Melbourne Council will this week welcome back more than 100,000 international students with a packed lineup of events in the city, including employment seminars and welcomes sessions as part of O-Week.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said international students were part of the lifeblood of Melbourne, adding significantly to the city’s cultural vibrancy and atmosphere.
“We know their strong return will also have significant economic benefits – creating jobs and driving up spending at city businesses,” she said.
“Prior to the pandemic, more than 150,000 international students lived in Victoria, contributing $13.7 billion a year to the state’s economy. We’re determined to get back to those levels by making Melbourne the world’s best city for student experience.”
Around 104,000 international student visa holders have chosen Victoria for their studies in 2023 – a 33% increase on January 2022 figures.
Students from India make up the largest cohort at 22%, followed by students from China at 20%.
Council says pedestrian activity around the city’s universities has risen in recent weeks, with average weekday activity up almost 60% compared to the same time last year.
The Council will support a range of activities across the city in February and March to welcome new and returning international students, including:
- The My Melbourne program, which provides free tickets to iconic Melbourne events such as the Moomba Festival, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show;
- The Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome at the Queen Victoria Market’s Summer Night Market;
- A speed-friendship session for international students, as part of Melbourne Conversations;
- O-Week stalls at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne attended by councillors;
- The annual Melbourne International Student Conference in partnership with Meld Community;
- Employment seminars and health and wellbeing sessions at The Couch International Student Centre.
At tomorrow’s Future Melbourne Committee meeting, Councillors will also consider a range of measures to support international students and leverage Melbourne’s status as Australia’s number one student city.
This includes investigating the creation of a ‘Student Welcome Centre’, and the development of an international student internship program, with mentoring and work experience opportunities to boost student employability.
“As international students return to our shores, we want them to feel supported and appreciated, with a Melbourne experience that is overwhelmingly positive,” said Education and Innovation portfolio lead Councillor, Davydd Griffiths.
“We’re proud to work closely with our international student community to make them feel at home, showing them everything our great city has to offer – from our world-class restaurants to our spectacular events.
“To maintain our status as Australia’s number one student city, we must continue to explore new activities and advocacy work which improves the experience for all students,” he said.
For more information about programs, events and advocacy work for international students, visit the City of Melbourne.