Victoria is looking to “boost” its connections with overseas students by opening two new study hubs in Vietnam and Malaysia.

The Australian state of Victoria has submitted plans to the federal government to allow 120 international students to return per week, with institutions covering $5,000 hotel quarantine costs and students paying for flights.

The University of Melbourne has eeked out an operating surplus for 2020 despite the pandemic, which has wiped $1.8bn from Australian universities’ revenue.

International education stakeholders have described Australia's plan to allow athletes and military personal entry to the country ahead of international students as "unconscionable".

International students in Victoria have faced administrative delays when accessing emergency funds, which has contributed to the "overwhelming demand" for a voucher scheme introduced in Melbourne.