The awards are open to all current Victorian Year 11 and 12 international school students, government and non-government schools and ​their homestay families.  ​​

Nominations for the 2025 awards are now closed.

Award categories

There are eleven award categories. Eight awards are open to international students in Years 11 and 12. The International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award is open only to Year 12 international students. There is also one award for a non-government school and one award for a homestay family.

School and Homestay Awards

Excellence in Global Learning Award (Non-government school)

The Excellence in Global Learning Award recognises non-government schools who effectively embed internationalisation through delivery of a robust International Student Program and/or global learning programs such as sister schools, overseas teacher and student learning experiences, cultural immersion programs and integration of internationalisation into the curriculum. The Excellence in Global Learning Award is a whole school award to enable recognition and promotion of global learning programs and excellence across Victoria.

Please note that the Excellence in Global Learning Award (government schools) is now part of the Victorian Education Excellence Awards and is called the Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning Award.

Homestay Family of the Year

The Homestay Family of the Year Award recognises the crucial role that homestay families play in supporting international students by providing the support and safety of a real family throughout their time in our schools. The Homestay Family of the Year Award enables schools and international students to recognise homestay families who go the extra mile through nomination for the award.

Student Awards

Academic Excellence Award

The award is presented to a Year 12 international student who has achieved the highest ATAR score in VCE or IB equivalent, and to a Year 11 international student who has obtained the highest level of achievement in all subjects. Students must also demonstrate active participation in and positive contribution to the school community.

Note: the nominations portal will remain open until after the release of academic results to allow applicants to submit their final scores.

​Arts Achievement Award (Visual / Performing Arts Categories)

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive the Arts Achievement (Visual Arts) Award. In addition, one international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive the Arts Achievement (Performing Arts) Award. This could be evidenced by achievements such as exceptional contribution to and/or participation in the arts. This includes visual and performing arts work as defined in relevant VCE/IB subjects.

Community Engagement Award

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive this award which recognises participation in activities and groups which have a positive impact on the school and the wider community, including environmental sustainability. This could be evidenced by active involvement in community groups, charities or similar organisations.

Global Citizenship Award

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive this award which recognises outstanding commitment to fostering integration between local and international students, as well as a high level of intercultural competency and understanding of global issues.

​Health and Sports Achievement Award

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive this award which recognises outstanding achievement in the health, health science and/or physical education subjects. This could also include sport via membership of local, regional, state or national sporting teams.

Innovation Award

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive this award, which recognises outstanding innovation. This award celebrates achievements in innovation-related subjects and extracurricular activities including science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM), environment, health and design.

​Resilience Award

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive this award which recognises outstanding abilities to overcome obstacles and challenges to achieve in academic and / or non-academic fields. This could be evidenced by an understanding of resilience and strategies implemented to overcome challenges.

Student Leadership Award

One international student from Year 11 and one from Year 12 will receive this award which recognises outstanding leadership. This could be evidenced by achievements such as Student Representative Council, membership of School Council or leadership of international student groups.

International Student of the Year - Ambassador Award

No separate application is required for this award which is presented to a Year 12 international student, selected from the top-performing finalists for the other seven international student awards. The award recipient will have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, the ability to represent Victorian schools, and leadership through engaging with both the school and wider community.

Key dates

The awards program allows you to recognise your outstanding international students and homestay families, and showcase your school's educational offering by highlighting global learning achievements.

Nominations open 26 August 2024
Nominations close ​18 October 2024 (all except Academic Excellence: 20 Dec 2024)
Judging commences 30 October 2024
Notification of all finalists 28 February 2025
Filming - Hall of Fame videos March - April 2025
Presentation ceremony June 2025

* Please note, these dates are subject to review.

Why enter?

The awards program allows you to recognise your outstanding international students and homestay families, and showcase your school's educational offering by highlighting global learning and engagement achievements. The benefits of being involved include:

  • rewarding your top international students
  • recognising and driving quality amongst your homestay families
  • demonstrating the quality of your school in equipping students with a global education
  • marketing and raising awareness of your school professionally produced promotional material.

Who can be nominated?

International students

International students (standard, full-fee dependant and study abroad students) in Years 11 and 12 in Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools can be nominated for the seven student awards.

The following students are not eligible for nomination:

  • dependants of permanent residents
  • students under specialist entrance visas whose status confers a tuition fee exemption (i.e. children of post-graduate research students and visiting academics).

Homestay families

Formally registered households hosting standard or study abroad international students currently enrolled directly in a Victorian government school, or CRICOS-registered Catholic or independent school can be nominated for the Homestay Family of the Year Award.

Schools

Non-government schools may nominate themselves for the Excellence in Global Learning Award.

While it is expected that most schools nominating in this category would be delivering an International Student Program under CRICOS registration, nominations are not limited to these schools. Accordingly, schools can be nominated for any number of global learning and engagement programs, including sister schools, overseas learning programs, teacher and principal professional development, and incorporating the intercultural capability of the Victorian Curriculum.

Please note that the Excellence in Global Learning Award (government schools) is now part of the Victorian Education Excellence Awards and is called the Dr Lawrie Shears Outstanding Global Teaching and Learning Award. Nominations for this award will open in early 2023.

Conditions of entry

To be considered valid, entries must be completed in full using the online nomination form.

School principals are responsible for ensuring that they nominate in the correct category. Judges do not have the discretion to re-assign applications to another category.

Nomination materials become the property of the department and will not be returned at the conclusion of the judging process.

Photographs or video materials presented as a part of nominations should be of high resolution or of broadcast standard.

School principals are responsible for ensuring that nominated students, school staff and homestay families (depending on award category) sign the consent form in relation to privacy, release of information and media requirements, prior to submitting nomination forms.​

How to enter?

Only school principals or their delegate can submit nominations via the Online Nominations Portal (when available) following the steps outlined below. Nomination for the International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award category is not required, as year 12 student nominees for the other seven student awards automatically become nominees for this award. Schools may submit one application per student.

When available, visit the Online Nominations Portal to lodge your application and follow the below steps,.

Step 1: Follow the instructions to create a school account.

Step 2: Select the category to which you wish to nominate your student, school or homestay family

Step 3: Read the nomination conditions, selection criteria and note the supporting documentation required

Step 4: Complete the online nomination form

Step 5: Upload material to support nominations. All categories require the following depending on the award category nomination:

  1. Student Awards:
    • student statement, written by the student
    • principal’s supporting statement.
  2. Excellence in Global Learning Award (Non-government schools):
    • teacher's supporting statement, outlining internationalising education and global learning and engagement activities undertaken by the school
    • principal’s supporting statement, highlighting the links between internationalising activities and overarching school plans.
  3. Homestay Family of the Year Award:
    • supporting statement endorsed by international students accommodated in the homestay household
    • principal's / international student coordinator's supporting statement.

Refer to above selection criteria for additional requirements for each award category.

There will be an electronic acknowledgement of all nominations. Once all nominations have been received and the judging process has been completed by the judging panel all applicants will be notified of their application's outcome. Only finalists will be invited to attend the presentation ceremony.

The judging panel will not consider nominations submitted after the close of the nomination period.

What are the Victorian Global Learning Awards

The annual Victorian Global Learning Awards celebrate international student excellence and recognise schools and homestay families for outstanding global learning and engagement. The awards are open to all current Victorian Year 11 and 12 international school students, government and non-government schools and their homestay families.

What are the award categories?

There are eight awards. The categories are:

Student Awards

  • Academic Excellence Award
  • Arts Achievement (Performing Arts and Visual Arts) Awards
  • Community Engagement Award
  • Global Citizen Award
  • Health and Sports Achievement Award
  • Innovation Award
  • Resilience Award
  • Student Leadership Award
  • International Student of the Year Ambassador Award.

School and Homestay Awards

  • Excellence in Global Learning Award
  • Homestay Family of the Year.

Who are the awards open to?

The awards are open to Victorian government and non-government schools, international students currently studying in Years 11 and 12 in these schools, and their homestay families.

Can all international students (at any year level) be nominated for the awards?

Only Years 11 and 12 standard, full-fee dependent and study abroad international students can be nominated for the awards.

Can international students and homestay families nominate themselves for awards?

International students and their homestay families must be nominated by their school principal or the principal’s nominee. A school can self-nominate for the Excellence in Global Learning Award.

Can an international student be nominated for all eight awards?

Schools may submit one application per student. The principal and their delegate should decide the individual categories in which to nominate each of their international students.

Can a Year 11 international student be nominated for the International Student of the Year Ambassador Award?

This award is only open to Year 12 international students.

Why is a separate nomination not required for the International Student of the Year Ambassador Award?

For the awards, only Year 12 international students are eligible for the International Student of the Year Ambassador Award. They will be nominated through successful selection for any of the seven other awards.

How many finalists are selected for each award?

Up to three finalists will be selected for each award and the winner will be selected from the three finalists. All finalists are also invited and recognised at the awards ceremony.

How do I find out more about the awards?

Visit the 'how to enter' tab of this webpage to access selection criteria for each of the award categories.

What is a student statement and what happens if I exceed the word limit?

A student statement must be written by the student and should address the relevant award selection criteria. The student statement must not exceed the word limit set for each category. Judges will not consider information in excess of the word limit.

What supporting documentation is needed and why?

Supporting documentation is further evidence that you meet the selection criteria. The selection criteria for each award category will specify the supporting documentation required to support the application.

What will the judges look for in my nomination?

Judges will be looking for evidence about how well your nomination meets the selection criteria for the relevant award. They will look for evidence in your written claim, your principal’s written claim and other supporting documentation supplied in accordance with the award category requirements.

Do I have to attend an interview if I am shortlisted?

Judges will only be interviewing student finalists shortlisted for the International Student of the Year Ambassador Award. Shortlisted Year 12 student finalists will be invited to attend an interview in February/March. Attendance at the interview is required to progress towards selection for the International Student of the Year Ambassador Award.

When will the winners of all award categories be announced?

All finalists and their nominators will be contacted prior to the awards. All finalists are invited to attend the awards ceremony in June.

Are students, schools and homestay families from Catholic and independent sectors also eligible to apply?

The awards are open to all Victorian government and non-government schools, currently enrolled Year 11 and 12 international students in these schools and their homestay families.

How will I be assessed?

Each award category will be scored out of 100, with weighted criteria reflecting their importance. The weighting system ensures fair evaluation, using a five-point scale for precision. Half-point scores like 3.5 may be used for accuracy. This rigorous approach ensures thorough candidate assessment.

The 12th annual Victorian Global Learning Awards are a celebration and recognition of what brings us together, the strength of Victoria's international relationships and the esteem with which we are held internationally for global learning and engagement. But most importantly it is a celebration of our students, teachers, parents, principals and homestay families, and the contribution they make to our schools and community.

The Victorian Government congratulates the 2024 award recipients from government and non-government schools who are all ambassadors for international education in Melbourne and Victoria.

Award Winners

  • Year 11 Academic Excellence Award – Balwyn High School, Zining (Cathy)
  • Year 11 Arts Achievement (Performing Arts) Award – Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, Enhui
  • Year 11 Community Engagement Award – Balwyn High School, Qianmo
  • Year 11 Global Citizenship Award – Wellington Secondary College, Panha Manith
  • Year 11 Resilience and Innovation Award – Noble Park Secondary College, Sonvitou
  • Year 11 Student Leadership Award – Balwyn High School, Van Minh (Mike)
  • Year 12 Academic Excellence Award – Balwyn High School, Alvin Yong Xuan
  • Year 12 Arts Achievement (Visual Arts) Award – Blackburn High School, Xiaoqian
  • Year 12 Community Engagement Award – Balwyn High School, Yixin (Lisa)
  • Year 12 Global Citizenship Award – East Doncaster Secondary College, Hao Ting (Priscilla)
  • Year 12 Resilience and Innovation Award – East Doncaster Secondary College, Thadar
  • Year 12 Student Leadership Award – Doncaster Secondary College, Shin Thant (Berry)
  • Homestay Family of the Year Award – Government school – Wellington Secondary College, Anna
  • International Student of the Year – Ambassador Award – Doncaster Secondary College, Shin Thant (Berry).

Commendation Award Winners

  • Year 11 Academic Excellence Commendation Award – Ruyton Girls' School, Shangqinhan (Rosanna)
  • Year 11 Academic Excellence Commendation Award – Ashwood High School, Jason Phillip
  • Year 11 Arts Achievement (Performing Arts) Commendation Award – Camberwell High School, Hiu Yan (Esther)
  • Year 11 Global Citizenship Commendation Award – Genazzano FCJ College, Honglu (Nora)
  • Year 11 Resilience and Innovation Commendation Award – Balwyn High School, Minh Khoi (Karl)
  • Year 11 Student Leadership Commendation Award – Noble Park Secondary College, Nguyen Phi Yen (Tina)
  • Year 12 Academic Excellence Commendation Award – Carwatha College P–12, Tapiwa (Daniel)
  • Year 12 Global Citizenship Commendation Award – Mount Clear College, Vadim
  • Year 12 Resilience and Innovation Commendation Award – Brighton Secondary College, Jehyeong (Jayden)
  • Year 12 Student Leadership Commendation Award – Camberwell High School, Shengyi (Steve)
  • Homestay Family of the Year Commendation Award – Government school – East Doncaster Secondary College, Graham and Cindy
  • Homestay Family of the Year Commendation Award – Government school – Kew High School, Helen.

We are proud of all of our winner and commendation recipients and honour the exceptional and valuable contribution they make by bringing cultural and lingustic diversity to our state.⁠

Congratulations once again!

Note: please note that the Department of Education, Victoria hosts the Victorian Global Learning Awards on behalf of all government and non-government schools in the State of Victoria, Australia. Accordingly, some of the schools listed above are non-government schools and not part of the Victorian government school system. To enrol in a non-government school, please contact the school directly.

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