Wan Lai, from West Melbourne, was on her way to work in the CBD at 7.40am on October 2 when the alleged offender ran up from behind and stabbed her in the upper body in an apparent random attack.
CCTV footage shows the accused, wearing all black, then running off while Ms Lai crouches over on the street before a bystander comes up to help.Â
The 36-year-old victim was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.
Police arrested and charged a 32-year-old Melbourne woman with two counts of intentionally causing injury and committing an offence while on bail.
A knife was also seized by officers who conducted an extensive search of the area.
The accused appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody.
The attack has added to a raft of high-profile crimes in Victoria, which has recorded a near-16 per cent jump in criminal offences in the 12 months to June 30, according to crime statistics data.
The premier has condemned the act of violence as "absolutely sickening", sending her support to Ms Lai and her family.
"No one who commits brazen, violent acts like this should be on the streets," Jacinta Allan said in a statement.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece maintained the city remains safe and spruiked his policy of introducing more CCTV cameras and new community safety officers.
"By any international comparison, Melbourne is a very safe city, but we have seen a rise in the crime rate that is undeniable," he told ABC radio Melbourne.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Victoria is the nation's "crime capital", a term his federal counterpart Sussan Ley used during her recent visit to the state to shine a spotlight on the issue.
"Everyone's talking about it, no matter where you go in the community ... People are starting to fear that this is generally what Victoria is becoming, particularly in Melbourne," he said.
"There's no one in the country that's close to us. Victoria stands alone."
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