The Victorian Government has announced that 16 education providers and community organisations will receive grants of up to $75,000 under the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program (SMIP) for 2025.
Since its inception in 2015, the SMIP has provided funding for activities that support and promote the wellbeing of international students and enhance their experience of living in Victoria. This year’s projects include learning to drive, food security, community sport participation and finance management, totalling almost $500,000.
“We are backing these projects because we know how important they are to our international education sector – and the thousands of workers and students it supports,” said Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson.
Life Saving Victoria is one organisation to receive funding under the SMIP for The International Student Water Safety Project, addressing the high drowning risk among international students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Tragically in 2023-24, there were 54 fatal drownings in Victoria, 21 of which were members of CALD communities.
Through this project Life Saving Victoria will provide students with water safety demonstrations and educational activities on beaches across the state, as well as on-campus water safety activations.
Some of the other projects funded through the SMIP include:
- Migrant Workers Centre – Work Ready: preparing international students for safe and fair work.
- Australia Women & Children Protection and Development Inc – Victoria Art & Cultural Trail.
- Bright Education Group Pty Ltd – International Students SportsFest 2025.
- Filipino Community Council of Vic Inc – International Student Cultural Immersion and Engagement Program
The Study Melbourne Inclusion Program (SMIP) forms part of Victoria’s International Education Recovery Plan 2025 to support international students in Victoria. International education is Victoria’s largest single export and largest services export. The sector employs 63,000 Victorians and contributes almost $15 billion to the state’s economy every year.
You can find a full list of grant recipients and details of their projects here.
Photo: Study Melbourne
