Education

Victoria is known for the strength and high quality of its education systems. Victoria has eight public universities, with two among the QS World’s top 50 rankings 2025. Victoria’s public vocational education and training (VET) system is also recognised for its quality, responsiveness to industry needs, and high employment rates.

Victorian universities and tertiary education providers have strong links with India, through transnational education partnerships, research, joint degrees, exchange programs, two-way mobility, and curriculum co-design and development. India is also Victoria’s largest source country for international students.

Within the primary and secondary schooling system, Victoria has invested in programs such as the Women in School Leadership (WISL) and Victorian Young Leaders to India to build capability, intercultural leaderships and life long connections.

Victoria hosts over 250 or around one-third of Australia's innovative EdTech companies, which support 6,800 jobs and contribute more than $1.4 billion annually to the economy.

Victoria’s International Education Recovery Plan 2025, released in 2022, reiterated the commitment to a strong education presence in India through its Global Education Network and South Asia Study Melbourne Hub. The Hub supports current and prospective Indian international students by providing resources on studying, living and working in Victoria.

The Victorian Government also delivered the first Victoria-India EdTech innovation exchange and policy paper in partnership with the Australia India Institute and EduGrowth. This enabled the delivery of EdTech trade missions to DIDAC, India’s largest EdTech conference, increasing the number of delegates from organisations from 19 to 43 in 2023.

What's the opportunity

There are opportunities to deepen Victoria’s education engagement with India through the Victorian Government’s Global Education Network based in India. This includes leveraging the mutual recognition of qualifications, collaborative skills development, curriculum engagement, facilitation of joint degree programs between higher education institutions, student and academic exchange, and supporting the internationalisation of India’s education sector.

Embedding cultural and intercultural understanding from a young age, familiarity with major Indian languages, and continuing to welcome and support Indian international students will continue to contribute to Victoria’s vibrancy and diversity.

Key statistics

Victoria is the preferred Australian state for Indian students, with around 40 per cent choosing Victoria as their study destination.
Melbourne is consistently ranked as Australia's best student city, currently fifth best globally (2025 QS Best Cities Index).
Victorian Young Leaders to India program incorporating a Global Design Challenge that enables Victorian and Indian students to collaborate on STEM projects.
Indian students are the most represented group in international enrolments in higher education IT courses, accounting for over 35 per cent in 2023.

Case studies

E2 is a Victorian online educational platform that provides preparation resources and training for English language proficiency tests. It offers hybrid learning methods that can take place anytime and anywhere. India is a major market for E2’s high-stakes English test preparation courses.
To succeed in India, E2 recognised the importance of adapting and developing product mixes at an affordable price point. They worked with the Victorian Government to obtain market intelligence and commercial contracts. Relationships with test providers like Pearson, OET, and IDP offered insights into consumer learning preferences, while engagements with Indian schools helped to develop innovative delivery models.
‘We provide essential, effective and affordable education to help those who wish to work, study or live in English-speaking environments. Our mission is help everyone overcome barriers to achieving their life ambitions’
Josh Fast, CEO, E2
The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is a not-for-profit research organisation with over 90 years’ experience creating research-based knowledge, products and services to improve learning. ACER established an Indian subsidiary in New Delhi in 2005 to extend its operations across South Asia and beyond. They have worked with notable clients including the Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, and leading private school groups. They have also provided technical support to governments and educational bodies across the region, including the Delhi Board of School Education.
The success of ACER in South Asia can be attributed to three key factors: extensive global research, strong partnerships with key regional stakeholders, and a team of highly qualified and experienced staff. ACER has benefited the Victorian EdTech missions to DIDAC and from VGTI’s support in making government and industry introductions.
‘I’m delighted to say that ACER India has been able to make an impact over the last decade in supporting the transformation of learning systems in many countries in South Asia. We remain firmly committed to better preparing young learners for their future, helping them learn successfully and achieving their full potential.’
Amit Kaushik, MD & CEO, Australian Council for Educational Research (India)
Health Careers International Pty Ltd (HCI), trading as Institute of Health and Nursing Australia (IHNA), launched its healthcare course delivery in Kochi, Kerala, in 2022. This initiative aims to promote Australian skills courses in India with a focus on high-quality healthcare education. Since its inception, the project has enrolled over 1,000 students, with many graduates now working in India and abroad.
The project aligns with HCI’s mission, 'Education for Employment', and supports India’s growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals and contributes to the broader goal of improving healthcare standards. HCI signed partnerships with Arizona State University and Ramsey Healthcare in 2024 and has been working with the VGTI for market intelligence, and commercial and government connections.

Updated 17 September 2024