The Andrews Labor Government is backing international students and the ongoing strength of the economy, hosting the first-ever Careers Fair targeted at international students in Melbourne.

Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas today visited the Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair, co-organised with SEEK – a dedicated event to connect students and graduates with employers.

More than 30 exhibitors attended the Careers Fair including Swisse, SEEK and Bupa, as well as the Commonwealth Government which assisted with questions relating to visas.

Last year’s launch of the International Education Recovery Plan 2025 outlined the Labor Government’s vision for the sector’s growth. A key pillar of the plan is providing meaningful post-study work opportunities for international students and graduates and to nurture talent.

The Government is also delivering for international students by promoting the Commitment to Action to Improve Employment Outcomes for International Students, along with a tailored search function on SEEK to land professional graduate roles in their field of study.

Under the Commitment to Action, employers publicly pledge to employing more international students, offering more work experience opportunities, setting employment targets, removing barriers to employability and sharing success stories.

To date 25 employers have signed on to the Commitment to Action including, Swisse, Indonesian tech unicorn Bukalapak, e-Centric, The Lyon Group and Marriot International.

When searching for graduate opportunities on SEEK, international students can use the hashtag #MelbourneStudentCareers to receive job listings that match their field of study from participating employers. 

The participating organisations understand the value of employing international student graduates, such as deepening their talent pool and developing an internationally focused and culturally diverse workforce.

As well as enriching Victoria’s diversity and vibrancy and supporting more inclusive communities, international students are studying in areas that closely align with priority industry sectors experiencing critical workforce shortages, including infrastructure, clean economy and medical and allied health.  

Melbourne is officially Australia’s best student city and has been since 2015. There are more than 140,000 student visa holders currently in Victoria and international education is Victoria’s largest services export, supporting more than 40,000 jobs.

To learn more, visit studymelbourne.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas

“We want to offer international students the best employment prospects after their studies – and we’re working with industry and the international education sector to deliver just that.”

“Victoria’s unemployment rate is historically very low and businesses are eager to snap up in-demand skills, particularly in areas like engineering, tech and health.”

“Having completed their studies in Melbourne at some of the world’s top universities, international students have a lot to offer to local employers.”