Wellington Education Group (WEG) and VFS Global have launched an education and training partnership, bringing together Australian educational expertise and international industry experience to develop practical, career-focused learning opportunities.
The partnership was formalised at Sydney Town Hall on 8 October 2026, where representatives from education and industry gathered to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations.
The collaboration will initially include the Qualified Visa Submission Officer Certificate, a 20-hour online training programme designed to equip new entrants and existing professionals with practical knowledge and skills relevant to visa application services.
The partnership also has a broader vision. The organisations see potential to explore additional educational courses and professional development programmes responding to changing workforce needs, including in international education, travel, tourism and related service industries.
Building professional capability
Visa application processes can be complex, particularly for international students and their families navigating unfamiliar systems and documentation requirements. Professionals who assist with application preparation and submission play an important role in the applicant experience.
Heidi Reid, the current Chair of the Wellington Education Group Academic Board, welcomed the collaboration and its potential to connect learning with practical industry experience.
“This collaboration brings together Wellington’s experience in education and training with VFS Global’s extensive international expertise and operational excellence,” Reid said.
“The Qualified Visa Submission Officer Certificate is an exciting starting point, but what makes this partnership particularly valuable is the opportunity to explore further educational programmes together. We want to develop practical, industry-relevant learning opportunities that strengthen professional capability, open doors to new careers and contribute to higher standards across the sectors we serve.”
Practical, accessible training
Delivered online through seven self-paced modules, the 20-hour programme covers visa systems, passport and identity documentation, online application procedures, document verification, fraud awareness, professional client communication and case management.
An Australian-focused module examines Student visa application requirements, while a final simulation gives participants an opportunity to apply their learning to a visa submission case.
The programme is open to students, graduates, jobseekers and career changers, as well as professionals already working in visa services, travel, international education and related customer service industries. Participants who complete all seven modules and pass the required examination will receive a Qualified Visa Submission Officer Certificate, recognising completion of the training and assessments. The certificate does not replace any government authorisation or professional registration required to provide regulated immigration advice.
Connecting education with international expertise
According to figures supplied for September 2026, VFS Global serves 71 client governments and operates more than 4,275 application centres across 170 countries. Its services include visa application support for a range of countries and biometric collection services for Australia.
VFS Global Academy, established in 2023, provides industry-focused education and professional development across travel, tourism, hospitality and service sectors. Its international presence includes India, China, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Australia.
Wellington Education Group operates Berkeley Business Institute, York Business Institute and Le Rosey Hospitality Institute. Under the partnership, WEG will support recruitment and learner engagement, provide online learning infrastructure and promote the training internationally.
Looking beyond the initial program
While the Qualified Visa Submission Officer Certificate is the initial training initiative, the partnership has the potential to extend beyond visa services. The organisations hope to explore further accessible, industry-focused programmes that respond to emerging workforce needs and connect education more closely with employment opportunities.
For enquiries and program details, see here.
