NSW international students get public transport fare concessions…Is Victoria next?

THE New South Wales government has announced international students in their state will no longer have to pay full fare for public transport tickets. But here in Victoria, we still wait. 

It’s a great day for international students in New South Wales. No longer will they have to pay full price for their public transport tickets while their local peers enjoy concession fares.

It feels like it’s been a long time coming – especially considering international students have been paying (sometimes) more than double the university fees locals do; despite international students paying taxes eventhough they’re limited in the number of hours they’re legally permitted to work a week.

Now only one state in Australia continues to charge international students full fare when it comes to public transport – Victoria.

Here at Meld, we’re hopeful the changes in NSW will prompt a shift in policy in Victoria. Will Premier Ted Baillieu finally heed the pleas thousands of international students have been making on social media, through petitions and numerous other avenues?

Stay tuned to Meld Magazine as we try to get some answers from the big players for you.

In the meantime, keep putting your voices out there.

Do you think it’s high time Victoria gives international students transport concessions too? Tell us why in the comments section below.

3 total comments on this postSubmit yours
  1. ok. I’ve been telling you the same thing for years.

  2. Waiting for that good news one day in Victoria. Hopefully will be soon.

  3. That’s great. However, international students are allowed to work 20 hours/week. Residents and Citizens who study full time are not allowed to take on any sort of empolyment. What student in NSW or Victoria can survive without at least a part time job? This means they are ineligible for travel concession, where is the fairness in that?

Submit your comment

Please enter your name

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter your message

About

Meld Magazine was incorporated as an independent not-for-profit media outlet in September 2008 to reach out to international students in Melbourne, and provide students the opportunity to gain real work experience.

Many international students live in or around the city because of the proximity to their colleges and universities, and that was where we decided to focus our efforts first. Many of us live, work and study locally too. Our editorial team is made of both local and international students, and it has worked to our advantage in providing local content in every sense of the word.

Tweets

  • about 22 hours ago

    meldmagazine: Morning! Don't you just love the weekends? :D

  • about 22 hours ago

    meldmagazine: Foodies rejoice, there'll be more to come after successful inaugural desserts masterclass at Taste Studio http://t.co/gyS5SJuZ7s

  • May 24, 2013 08:26

    meldmagazine: Beware of unscrupulous employers, Emerging Writers' Festival, Meld street art Challenge, win tickets... - http://t.co/6uOZ2eVtRg

Meld Magazine – Melbourne's international student news website © 2013 All Rights Reserved