StudyNSW is investing $358,000 in 10 partner projects across the state to improve the international student experience in NSW.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald,  said the University of Newcastle would receive $55,000 in co-funding to develop ‘Upskill through WIL’ - a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) project to engage international students through workplace opportunities and training.

“The University of Newcastle will begin planning the WIL program from October 2017, with all WIL and work experience placements beginning from March, 2018, and running through to August, 2018,” Mr MacDonald said.

“This fantastic program will grow the profile of international education providers in regional NSW and raise awareness of the benefits international students bring to the Hunter.”

The Upskill through WIL program will broker work experience and WIL opportunities for international students in regional areas that these students have identified as highly valuable to their studies.

“We are delighted to support a program that will help international students build a strong network of employers, business owners and UON alumni,” Mr MacDonald said.

“This program will offer international students job-ready skills in the Hunter in areas outside of their day-to-day academic life.”

With industry contributions, more than $1 million will be invested to support the 10 partner projects being supported by StudyNSW.

International education is NSW's largest services export and second largest export overall, worth more than $8 billion to the economy and supporting more than 46,000 NSW jobs, he said.