Up to 200 international students will learn how to play AFL and attend live matches as part of a Victorian Government program aimed at helping international students stay safe, connected and supported while living in Victoria.
The AFL is one of fourteen organisations to receive a grant under the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program for 2026. In partnership with AFL clubs North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, the initiative will help international students build social connections and engage with local community and culture through footy.
“As Australia’s game, footy has a unique ability to bring people together, and this program is about ensuring international students feel that connection from the moment they arrive in Victoria,” said AFL Executive General Manager Game Development Rob Auld.
“By providing a welcoming and inclusive introduction to AFL, we’re helping students build friendships, confidence and a genuine sense of belonging, while fostering a lifelong connection to the game.”
Fourteen organisations will deliver a range of targeted wellbeing projects, with grants of up to $30,000 awarded under the 2026 program. These include driver education, food workshops, professional development and an art showcase.
Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, said: “The diverse projects we’ve backed this year are critical to the wellbeing of our international students”.
“I am incredibly proud that Victoria will continue to welcome international students from around the world, and I look forward to the lasting contributions they will make to our communities, our economy and our state,” he said.
The Victorian Government is investing $18.6 million in its 2025/26 budget in international education programs and services, including the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program.
Since its inception in 2015, the Study Melbourne Inclusion Program has funded 178 projects to the value of $7.8 million.