Wellbeing grants for international students awarded

13 June 2023

The Territory Labor Government is investing in the wellbeing of international students to enhance their experience and to position the Northern Territory as a destination of choice for students from overseas. 

International Student Wellbeing Grants have today been awarded to deliver 19 events and activities that will strengthen student wellbeing, connections and employability.

Grants up to $10,000 were available to businesses, professional and community groups to deliver programs to enrich the lives of international students.

Successful funding recipients include:

• The Australian Red Cross Society for its Mental Health Resilience Project for International Students;
• The Australia – China Friendship Society to deliver a Happy Study Life Program;
• Engineers Australia for Engineering Your Future;
• NT Legal Aid Commission for Law and Lifestyle for International Students;
• The Bangladeshi Student Association of Charles Darwin University to host a Career Networking Ball; and
• Kindness Shake to continue its ongoing Skill Up 2 Scale Up Employability Program. 

Kindness Shake has been delivering this employability program for three years, providing hundreds of students with development and employment opportunities.

International students who participate in Skill Up 2 Scale Up receive valuable professional development and upskilling, along with exposure to employment opportunities and networks.

A recent Skill Up 2 Scale Up was hosted by NEC’s NT Regional Manager Damien Charles along with Charles Darwin University's IT Code Fair Team, and international-student-owned company True Blue IT Services, with a focus on providing insight into the skills and characteristics employers in the information technology industry are seeking.

NEC employs a number of international students and actively supports pathways into employment, a key factor in ensuring that students enjoy a positive experience when they come to the Territory.

Student wellbeing is vital for growth in the international education and training sector, with students sharing positive experiences of their life in the Territory helping to attract others.

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Education, Ngaree Ah Kit:

“Ensuring that international students receive a quality education and are supported means more prospective students will choose the Northern Territory.

“International students make a significant contribution to our economy, strengthen our workforce and add to our vibrant multiculturalism.

“These grants are an investment in our plan to continue to grow our international student numbers by ensuring the Territory is a destination of choice for students from overseas.”

Quotes attributable to Kindness Shake Co-founder and Chair, Ben Poveda-Alfonso:

“We are excited to receive this year’s International Student Wellbeing Grants from Study NT.  Kindness Shake has fortunately been well supported by the NT Government and Charles Darwin University to run our initiatives that ensure international students have a positive experience studying in the Territory.

“The grants will enable us to deliver two very important programs – Skill Up 2 Scale Up that aims to get students into meaningful employment and the Cultural Immersion Program that showcases the local First Nations culture and Darwin’s iconic landmarks.

“Both programs are essential towards our goal to provide programs that not only engage students but also encourage them to stay and continue to contribute socially, culturally and economically to the Territory.”

Quotes attributable to NEC NT Regional Manager, Damien Charles:

“International students coming to the NT to study and then find jobs have greatly assisted the ICT Industry as we deal with the national skills shortage.

“To have a pool of qualified recruits coming out of Charles Darwin University has made a real difference over these last few years.”

Northern Territory Government