International students including many Greeks on student visas in Victoria will be offered half price public transport in Victoria by 2015.
The incentive comes on the back of declining international student numbers after bad press from racially motivated attacks stopped many considering Melbourne as a good destination for their studies.
Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said the initiative would provide a 50 per cent discount on annual public transport tickets covering trains, trams and buses for all eligible international students.
“The scheme will be trialed from 2015 for three years in partnership with education providers to reduce transport costs for eligible students in eligible Melbourne metropolitan and country educational institutions,” Mr Mulder said.
“This will make international students feel even more welcome when they come to study in Victoria and enhance our reputation as a world leading international student city.’
The incentive will save students approximately $1105 a year the government believes, and will open up lower cost travel to regional centres around the state.
The Age reported last year that almost 70 per cent of Melbourne’s international students believe the cost of public transport is most in need of improvement.
Students have foregone meals just so they could afford transport in the state.
Laws restricting foreign students from working more than 20 hours a week during semester exacerbated the problem and many have been exploited by working for cash in establishments paying less than minimum wage.
Currently, a daily trip on the Victorian transport network costs $12.12 for zone 1+2. At a concession fare that will be reduced to $6.06.
The Melbourne City Council the lack of concession tickets can reduce student safety and make Victoria a less desirable place to study.
The government offers international students a free culture card that provides special offers to Victoria’s cultural experiences, from sport to the arts and community events and the Study Melbourne website, a source to help students settling into life and study in Victoria.
There is also an international student welcome desk at Melbourne Airport to greet students upon arrival and answer any immediate questions.
International education is Victoria’s largest single export, worth over $4.3 billion annually.
