Overview

The Study Melbourne Inclusion Program forms part of Victoria's International Education Recovery Plan 2025 and supports international students in Victoria.

The program provides funding for activities that promote the wellbeing of international students and enhance their experience of living in Victoria.

Applications for funding close at 11:59pm on Friday 15 December 2023.

Program guidelines

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program – Guidelines (PDF 231.33 KB) PDF icon

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program – Guidelines | accessible version (DOCX 158.09 KB) DOCX icon

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Read the full list of FAQs.

Top 10 tips

Read the top 10 tips for a successful application.

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program supports post-secondary international students studying at Victorian based universities, TAFEs, private higher education and vocational colleges, English language colleges and other registered training organisations. It does not fund activities that target students studying at higher learning institutions outside of Victoria.

Activities that may be considered for funding can focus on a range of topics, including (but not limited to): mental and physical health; volunteering and leadership; community engagement; arts and culture; health and safety.

Activities which support greater inclusion of women, LGBTQIA+ communities, people of colour and all faiths, people with disability and those from a broad spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds are also encouraged.

Potential funding

Up to $75,000.

All applications for SMIP funding must provide a minimum co-contribution of at least half of the value of the requested funding (e.g. applications for a $50,000 grant must include a co-contribution of at least $25,000).

Eligibility

An activity must be undertaken by two or more organisations. Each application must be submitted by one lead applicant. This is usually the organisation with the main coordinating role in the partnership.

Funded organisations must comply with all applicable laws and Departmental policies, including health directives.

All applications must demonstrate how international students will be involved in the design, delivery and/or review of the activity. This could be achieved in several ways, for example by engaging with international students or student groups to obtain their views, by involving them in the oversight of the activity, or by establishing a partnership with student organisations or associations.

To be eligible to apply for funding under the program, the lead applicant must satisfy these four requirements:

  • be a legal entity and operate in Victoria
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • have been operating for a least three years
  • have appropriate insurance cover arranged for the activity being proposed.

How to apply

Read the guidelines, related documents and FAQs

Before applying, please read the program guidelines, supporting documents, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and top 10 tips.

Program guidelines

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program – Guidelines (PDF 231.33 KB) PDF icon

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program – Guidelines | accessible version (DOCX 158.09 KB) DOCX icon

Supporting documents

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program – Activity plan template (XLSX 20.24 KB) XLSX icon

Study Melbourne Inclusion Program – Budget and expenditure forecast template (XLSX 140.14 KB) XLSX icon

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Read the full list of FAQs.

Top 10 tips

Read the top 10 tips for a successful application.

Check whether you are eligible for funding

Refer to Section 3 of the program guidelines to find out if your organisation and the proposed activity are eligible for funding under this program. Doing this will help you complete the eligibility criteria in the application form.

Decide on one lead applicant

Applications must be submitted in the name of one lead applicant. This is usually the organisation with the main coordinating role within the partnership. You only need to provide contact details for the lead applicant.

Double-check the closing date and time

Applications for this program will close at 11:59pm on Friday 15 December 2023.

Plan ahead so you don’t miss the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Further information

For any enquiries related to the program, and to be notified of future application rounds please email smip@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au.

You can find more information about the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program and other initiatives for international students on the Study Melbourne website.