International Student Support and Orientation

Orientation

Every student completes orientation before or at the start of their course, and signs a checklist
confirming they received the information. As an international student you also complete an additional
module covering the things that only apply to you.

Everyone covers	International students also cover
Your course and timetable Support services LLN and reasonable adjustment Complaints and appeals Academic integrity Work placement, where it applies ALIT’s policies and your obligations	Your student visa conditions and what they require of you Course progress obligations, and attendance where your course requires it Living in Australia — costs, transport, banking, working rights Emergency and critical incident contacts Transferring providers, and the first-six-months rule Health cover and how to use it

If you miss orientation, we follow up with you — it is not something you can quietly skip, because
the information in it protects you.

Support available to you

• Academic support — help with course content, assessment preparation and study skills.
• Language support — if English is making the course harder than it should be. See
  Student support.
• Wellbeing support — a confidential conversation and help finding professional services.
• Reasonable adjustment — practical changes to how you learn and are assessed.
• Course progress support — if you fall behind, we contact you early and put a support plan
  in place before it becomes a reporting matter. See
  Course progress and
  attendance.
• Interpreting — if English is not your first language we can help you arrange an interpreter
  through TIS National on 131 450.

Health cover

Student visa holders must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa.
OSHC generally assists with eligible medical and hospital costs. Check your insurer’s policy for inclusions, exclusions and waiting periods — not everything is covered, and some services have a waiting period.

• Keep your OSHC current for your whole stay — letting it lapse breaches your visa conditions.
• Your Letter of Offer states whether ALIT arranges your OSHC with your enrolment or whether you arrange
  it yourself. If you are not sure which applies to you, ask before you pay.
• If you are unwell and unsure what to do, contact your contact officer and we will help you find a
  doctor.

Living in Australia

What you need	Where to start
Accommodation	ALIT does not arrange or endorse student accommodation. The Victorian Government’s Study Melbourne Hub gives free help to international students — studymelbourne.vic.gov.au, 1800 056 449, 17 Hardware Lane, Melbourne. For your rights as a renter, see Consumer Affairs Victoria and Tenants Victoria. Never pay a deposit for a property you have not seen or verified.
Working rights	Your visa sets limits on how much you can work. Check current conditions at homeaffairs.gov.au — the rules change, and only Home Affairs can advise on your visa.
Your rights at work	The Fair Work Ombudsman — fairwork.gov.au, 13 13 94. Australian workplace law protects you the same as anyone else, regardless of your visa.
Legal help	Free legal help is available in Victoria and you do not need to go through ALIT to get it. The Study Melbourne Hub (1800 056 449) provides free legal advice on accommodation and employment and can refer you to the International Student Employment and Accommodation Legal Program. Victoria Legal Aid — legalaid.vic.gov.au, 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday 8am–6pm. Tell your contact officer if you would like help making contact.
Public transport, banking, phone	Covered in your orientation module, with current local information.

In an emergency

Free confidential support, 24 hours: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636 · 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 · TIS National interpreter
131 450.

Students under 18

ALIT does not enrol overseas students under 18 years of age. See
Age requirements and younger students.

Your rights

As an international student in Australia you are protected by the ESOS framework. You are entitled to the
education you paid for, to have your fees protected, to be given accurate information, and to complain
— internally and to the Overseas Students Ombudsman, which is free and independent. You can
contact the Ombudsman directly at
ombudsman.gov.au/complaints/international-student-complaints
or on 1300 362 072. See Complaints and appeals.