From surviving to thriving: Building the conditions for international student success

International students make an extraordinary contribution to Australia’s universities, communities, and future. But behind strong overall satisfaction, many face overlapping pressures that affect their health, sense of connection, and capacity to succeed.

Developed by Medibank and Nous Group, our new report brings together the voices of more than 2,400 international students and university staff, healthcare claims data, and sector evidence to identify practical ways to help students thrive.

Many international students are succeeding. Yet 24 per cent are struggling with poorer physical and mental health, greater stress, loneliness, and difficulty coping. Twenty-six per cent say their mental health has worsened since arriving in Australia.

Wellbeing isn’t separate from academic success. Students with poorer wellbeing are less confident of completing their course, while health challenges can affect concentration, academic performance and assessment completion.

Students facing the greatest challenges don’t always ask for help. Universities can normalise help-seeking, bring support closer to learning, and use appropriately governed engagement and service data to enable timely, proportionate outreach.

Loneliness is one of the clearest indicators of wellbeing risk. Students who often or always feel lonely are more likely to report declining mental health, poor physical health and difficulty coping. Connection and belonging need to be designed into the full student journey, not limited to orientation or semester one.

Students who need support most are often least able to access it. While students who reach services generally report positive experiences, many are unsure where to start, what their OSHC covers or which service is right for them. Clear pathways, timely information and a single front door can reduce the burden of navigation and give students the confidence to seek support when they need it.

Creating the conditions for international student success is a shared responsibility. Universities, OSHC providers, student organisations, and policymakers can help students stay connected, capable and engaged by designing support around the realities of student life.

The opportunity is to move beyond responding when students are in crisis, and to build the conditions in which every international student can thrive.