This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.

The distraught father of murdered international student Aiia Maasarwe says he wants the government to do more to keep women safe on Australia's streets.

Codey Herrmann, who raped and murdered the 21-year-old as she made her way home from a comedy gig in Melbourne, was sentenced to 36 years in prison on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking outside the court after the sentencing, Ms Maasarwe's father Saeed, who had travelled from Israel, said he wanted his

daughter to be remembered as happy, inquisitive and full of life.

"The pain inside is very big," he said.

"She was happy, she was inquisitive, she liked to help anyone. She liked all people. This is how I remember Aiia."

Mr Maasarwe said "revenge" was not the family's focus.

Instead, he said he hoped his daughter's death would force authorities to pay attention to keeping women safe.

"We want the Australian government to do more to protect people, to protect women," he said.

Herrmann, 21, pleaded guilty to beating Ms Maasarwe over the head, sexually assaulting her and setting her on fire.

AAP

Ms Maasarwe's father Saeed and her sister Noor wept as Judge Elizabeth Hollingworth handed down the sentence in the Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Saeed Maasarwe: “It’s not about revenge.. we want the Australian government to do more to protect people, to protect women” after Codey Herrmann is sentenced to 36 years for her rape and murder @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/fE19zLB0YR — Abby Dinham (@abbydinham) October 29, 2019

Justice Hollingworth sentenced Herrmann to 12 years imprisonment on a charge of rape and 32 years imprisonment on a charge of murder.

Herrmann will serve a combined sentence of 36 years and will serve 30 years before he is eligible for parole.

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Justice Hollingsworth said Herrmann's murder of Ms Maasarwe showed "utter contempt for her dignity".

"Not only did you take away Ms Maasarwe's most precious right – her right to life – you deprived a family of their daughter and sister," Justice Hollingworth said.

"She came here to improve her English at La Trobe University. She loved living here and her family were looking forward to visiting her.

"She was a loving and much-loved member of the Maasarwe family and your actions have profoundly affected them all.

"At times they feel they are stuck in a nightmare."

In her sentencing remarks, Justice Hollingworth referenced the recent rape and murder of Eurydice Dixon, saying "women should be free to walk the streets alone without fear of being violently attacked by strangers".

Factors such as the lack of premeditation in Herrmann's case and other points of difference meant there was "limited use" in comparing sentences for the two murders, Justice Hollingworth added.

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Justice Hollingworth also addressed Herrmann's traumatic upbringing in her sentencing remarks.

"Unfortunately, there is no simple explanation for your actions," she said.

"It’s necessary to consider your background in detail to understand how you came to be the seriously damaged young man that committed these offences.

"You undoubtedly suffered from profound childhood deprivation and trauma.

"The foundational building blocks of normal personal functioning were not provided in your case."

AAP

Ms Maasarwe, a Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship, was on her way home from a comedy gig when she was attacked.

Her body was found the next morning, on 16 January, by a passerby on their way to work.

Mr Maasarwe, also a Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship, recently returned to Australia to spread the message of peace in his daughter's memory.

READ MORE Aiia Maasarwe's father launches fellowship to support Palestinian doctors during Australia visit

The Aiia Maasarwe Memorial Medical Fellowship Program will provide financial support to Palestinian doctors working and training in Israel and will be administered through Program Rozana, an Australian initiative aimed at improving healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank.

Launching the fellowship in Melbourne, Mr Maasarwe said he wished his daughter would be remembered for her positivity, not what happened to her.

"We cannot forget Aiia ... she was inquisitive, she was good for everyone," he said.

"I wish all the people can just remember Aiia for the good things and the positives and to look every day in the light, not in the dark things."

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.