Improving the international student experience through work experience, free legal advice and info hubs

Five projects designed to enrich the experience of international students studying in NSW have received more than $286,000 in grants today through the StudyNSW partner program.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said funding has been awarded to initiatives which help promote NSW as a safe, inclusive place to study and offer real links to employment opportunities.  

“The NSW Government aims to support the whole international student experience to ensure each individual who chooses NSW enjoys their time in this fantastic State and has access to real support and employment prospects,” Mr Ayres said.

“International education is our largest services export worth $6.9 billion to the economy annually, but more importantly, it enriches the whole patchwork of our thriving multicultural State.

“With 241,727 international student enrolments in NSW in 2015, I’m proud that StudyNSW partner projects so strongly support this market,” Mr Ayres said.

Funding was awarded to five initiatives including $110,000 to continue free services to students at Redfern Legal Centre and $27,500 co-funding for UTS to deliver ‘Interchange 3.0’, a program to boost international students’ entrepreneurial skills and employability. The program will be run across a range of universities and vocational institutes.

A further $110,000 was awarded to the ‘Intersective – NSW Global Scope’ initiative which will enable 400 NSW International students to gain meaningful work experience across 11 NSW government agencies, NGOs and private sector companies.

University of New England (UNE) in Armidale has received $33,000 in co-funding to work with regional partners to establish an ‘International hub’ referral service with a range of health and wellbeing programs for all international students in the New England region. 

The International Education Association of Australia has also been awarded $5,500 to encourage employers and other stakeholders to promote hiring of international students.