Geelong education economy grows as Deakin and private schools attract national enrolments

Geelong's education sector has grown to more than $800 million in annual economic contribution, anchored by Deakin University's Waurn Ponds and Waterfront campuses but extending across a network of private schools with national enrolment reach, TAFE programs aligned to the city's industry needs, and a growing international student community attracted by Geelong's combination of education quality and lower living costs than Melbourne.

Deakin University's Geelong campuses enrol approximately 22,000 students, making the university one of the city's largest employers and a significant driver of the student accommodation, hospitality, and retail activity that sustains Geelong's inner-city economy. Deakin's research revenue has grown substantially, with the Institute for Frontier Materials and the School of Medicine among the university's fastest-growing research areas.

The private school sector is a substantial economic contributor that is often underappreciated in economic analyses of Geelong. The Geelong Grammar School, The Geelong College, Kardinia International College, and several other private schools collectively enrol more than 8,000 students, a significant proportion from outside the region, whose school fee revenue, boarding house activity, and family spending in Geelong generate economic activity distributed across the local service economy.

International student enrolments across Geelong education providers have recovered to above pre-COVID levels, with the city's relative affordability — rent and living costs are approximately 30 per cent below equivalent Melbourne costs — making it an attractive alternative for international students enrolled at Deakin who would otherwise study at metropolitan campuses. The international student community's spending in Geelong hospitality, retail, and accommodation is estimated at $85 million annually.

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