International students at participating education providers will be able to experience the best of Victoria at a fraction of the cost thanks to a new travel pass that underlines our standing as Australia’s top study destination.

Helping reduce cost of living pressures and encouraging students from 160 countries to see more of the Education State, the International Student Travel Pass provides benefits that leave other states flat-footed.

Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas encouraged students to investigate the card at the Study Melbourne YOUR PASS TO PLAY pop-up at Melbourne Central today, reinforcing that Victoria views overseas students as being important members of the community.

The pass allows eligible international students to purchase Victoria-wide travel myki cards in 90-, 180- or 365-day durations at a discount of 50 per cent – saving up to $975.

The pass can be used to get to campus, go to work or travel throughout Victoria. It means Melbourne-based students can use the pass to explore the state and regional students can travel to Melbourne cheaply, providing a boost for tourism as well as relief for students’ hip pockets. Limited zone options are also available.

The International Student Travel Pass is the largest public transport discount program provided to international students across Australia and a key part of Victoria’s International Education Recovery Plan 2025, which is driving growth in international education and attracting more students to Melbourne and regional Victoria.

International students are critical to Victoria’s diversity and vibrancy, enriching its social and cultural fabric and supporting more inclusive communities. There are more than 140,000 student visa holders currently in Victoria.

Melbourne is officially Australia’s leading city for international students – confirmed in the QS Best Student City report released last month. Melbourne has been the Australian leader in the global index, which ranks affordability, quality of life, the standard of universities, diversity and desirability, since 2015.

International education is Victoria’s largest services export and supports more than 40,000 jobs.

The Andrews Labor Government’s Study Melbourne service provides free legal advice on employment and accommodation matters and confidential 24-hour, seven-day assistance to international students across Victoria.

Victorian education providers that are participating in the International Student Travel Pass include Australian Catholic University, Box Hill Institute, Deakin University, Holmesglen Institute, La Trobe University, Melbourne Polytechnic, Monash University, Photography Studies College, RMIT University, SAE Creative Media Institute, Swinburne University, the University of Melbourne and Victoria University.

For more information about the travel pass, visit ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/concessions-and-free-travel.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Investment Tim Pallas

“Victoria is Australia’s top destination for international students because we welcome them with open arms and provide meaningful support like the travel pass.”

“Whether it’s travelling to a lecture or the other side of the state, the pass is a winner for students and businesses.”

Quote attributable to Melbourne-based international student Ashmit Badal

“The pass is fantastic. I travelled to Geelong with my friends a few weeks ago to go to the waterfront – without the pass, it’s something you’d really think twice about cost-wise.”