The latest Welcoming Universities Summit Series session, co-presented by Welcoming Universities and the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE), brought together Barbara van der Merwe from Mandy Money and Emily O’Callaghan from mixAbroad in conversation with Cate Gilpin from Welcoming Universities, and Lucinda Malgas from APAIE, for an engaging discussion on how financial wellbeing underpins inclusion and belonging for international students.
The session explored the often-overlooked role of financial literacy in shaping students’ experiences. While universities invest in academic and social supports, speakers noted that money and financial knowledge remain one of the least discussed but most influential factors affecting students’ sense of safety, agency, and connection. Particularly for international students, who don’t know what the cost of living is in Australia and aren’t across the Australian financial systems.
What the data shows
Emily from mixAbroad shared compelling new data from their new report titled ‘Student insights on global learning’, which revealed that:
- 67% of international students report feeling financially stressed or uncertain about managing money in Australia.
- More than half said they had been taken advantage of financially — through underpayment, scams, or misleading housing arrangements.
- 1 in 3 had never received any financial education before arriving.
However, Emily also outlined that students who participated in peer-led or community-based financial literacy programs reported markedly higher confidence, wellbeing, and trust in local systems.
Financial empowerment as inclusion
Barbara van de Merwe outlined the barriers that many international students face in navigating money in Australia, and she and the team at Mandy Money have been working to create resources that help students build confidence and knowledge.
She recognises that this work with international students helps them participate more fully in university life, and in the Australian community and she and her team have worked hard to make financial literacy approachable, relevant and accessible – using plain language, relatable examples, and humour to break down complex topics. She described how learning simple skills, like managing a budget, recognising scams, or understanding payslips, can give students a sense of control and independence that translates into confidence in other areas of life.
Key reflections from the session
- Inclusion must be practical as well as cultural — students need both a sense of welcome and the means to participate.
- Financial wellbeing and belonging are intertwined — when students feel financially capable, they are more confident and engaged.
- Collaboration matters — partnerships between universities, community organisations, local government, and student-led initiatives multiply impact.
- Small interventions can have big effects — accessible workshops or peer groups can shift campus culture and normalise help-seeking.
- Holistic wellbeing frameworks should include financial capability alongside mental health and academic success.
The session demonstrated how financial wellbeing is foundational to inclusion. When students understand and feel in control of their finances, they’re more likely to engage, contribute, and thrive — both at university and in their wider communities. Welcoming Universities and APAIE continue to highlight and share models and programs like Mandy Money and the work and research of mixAbroad that make financial inclusion understandable, tangible, equitable, and achievable.
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