Support Services for International Students in Australia
Studying in Australia as an international student comes with so many exciting opportunities. But while living and studying in the land Down Under, you may need help with things like your student visa, study, work or general wellness. The good news is, Australia has a variety of international student support resources available, no matter the topic.
General study support
When studying in Australia or planning your move, a great resource to start with is Study Australia. This is the official Australian Government website for international students and offers a wealth of information.
Use this site to search for courses, universities and scholarship opportunities. It also has resources like a cost of living calculator, information on working rights and much more.
If you are looking to narrow down your search by the state or city you want to study in, check out state and city-specific study bodies, such as:
These websites can give you more specific news and information on each region, including things to do, events and working information.
Visa and migration support
The Department of Home Affairs is your go-to resource for visa and migration support in Australia.
If you have any questions about your visa application, eligibility criteria, your rights on your visa or changing your visa subclass, the Department of Home Affairs is the place to seek answers. Its website has ample information available as well as news and migration updates. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, you can contact the department directly.
You can also seek assistance from your education provider for help with visa and migration-related questions.
Employment support
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is the Australian regulating body for working rights and work-related laws. The FWO website can give you information on things like working rights, minimum wage, the number of hours you can work and more.
When studying in Australia on a Student (subclass 500) visa, you are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods. This allows you to earn money, gain experience and network while studying abroad.
Most universities in Australia also have departments dedicated to employment support. Here you can seek career guidance, explore job postings and attend workshops on employment skills and practices (e.g. how to create a CV). With this in mind, be sure to contact your university for employment help.
Financial support
There are several organisations that offer financial support for international students in Australia.
The Australian Government provides a variety of scholarships for international students to help fund their studies. Two major government scholarship programs in Australia are the Australia Awards and Destination Australia.
The Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) program offers government-funded grants to students from a selection of developing countries who can show leadership qualities and a drive for change.
The Destination Australia Program (DAP) is an Australian Government program that funds eligible tertiary education providers to offer scholarships to domestic and international students to study in regional Australia.
Australian education providers also offer scholarships to qualifying international students, typically based on academic merit. You can search for education provider scholarships using the Study Australia Course Search tool.
Another helpful resource for international students in Australia is Moneysmart, which offers advice on managing debt and financial stress. You may also need to explore the tuition protection service, which assists international students whose education providers are unable to fully deliver their course of study.
Health and wellness support
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is health insurance for international students and their dependents. OSHC covers a portion or all of the medical and hospital costs that you might need while in Australia.
Through your health insurance provider, you will be able to seek support for a range of things like finding a doctor, mental health resources and more.
Your university will also have a student counselling and support system in place to help connect you with the right professional care.
Other mental health support services in Australia include Beyond Blue and Lifeline. Beyond Blue is one of Australia's most trusted mental health support services, through which you can chat online or over the phone with a counsellor. Lifeline offers online and phone support for those experiencing mental health crises, including suicidal thoughts. A free interpreting service for people who do not speak English is available.
Learn more about studying in Australia
Have more questions about what you can expect from studying in Australia? Visit the Future Abroad Studying in Australia hub. Here you’ll find guides on your studies, employment, migration and so much more.
Plus, don’t forget to check out our video session on studying in Australia for a more detailed look at this next chapter of your life!
Author: Aaron Bell
