International student resources
International Student Resource Guide
We’ve developed an International Student Resource Guide with key contacts and useful information to help you as you start your studies at the University of Melbourne.
This guide has contact information to help with finding: how to buy a myki card, where to find a house to live, how to apply for a tax file number and websites that advertise for jobs, among many other useful contacts!
Download a copy: International student guide
We hope you enjoy your stay in Melbourne and we welcome you to join us while studying at the University of Melbourne in this great city.
International Student Wellbeing Podcast
Here at GSA we believe in providing support and helping our international students with the transition and understanding of living, studying, and working in Australia. We understand that it is a massive change for most students coming to a new country, a new culture, and a new university and we want to do what we can to help. We are running a 3-part Podcast series to provide support to our international cohort.
Podcast 1 – Mental Health Services
Podcast 2 – Relationships (Hindi Translation & Chinese Translation)
Podcast 3 – Sexual Health
International Graduate Student Wellbeing Group (IGSWG)
The International Graduate Student Well-being Group (ISGWG) aims to support graduate international students by looking after their health and well-being. They invite health care professionals and work closely alongside to educate their members and to increase their familiarity with the health care system and better utilise care and support where needed.
Email: IGSWG.unimelb@gmail.com
Counselling and Psychological Services
As we go into the last week of classes and the exam period your mental health can become quite strained and in need of support. Our Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Health Service are available to meet with you, noting that telehealth appointments are available.
If you are currently outside of Australia, please note that the CAPS team will be able to offer initial support in identifying local options for you, based on your current location. We also encourage you to keep in touch with your peers, and of course your subject and coordinators, or research supervisors, as appropriate during this challenging time.
Below are some additional services that are available to students:
CAPS Free workshops – Free workshops on a range of personal development, mental health, and being issues each semester. Webinar recordings are available until the end of the exam period!
Midday Mindful Moments – Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there is a webinar run to introduce the experience of cultivating calm and wellbeing from within. Give your brain a break from study or work by joining a CAPS counsellor in guided mindfulness meditation.
Self-Help Resources – Explore a range of resources by the CAPS team including tip sheets, guided exercises, and more.
Student Fresh Boxes
The University of Melbourne is offering free meal packs to support students. As part of the University’s Free Meals Program, students can now order and collect a Student Fresh Box containing 5kg of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. The produce selection is locally sourced from Australian producers and is enough to last a week.
Free Meal packs are also available for collection, find out more about the program and how to register here.
Study Melbourne
Study Melbourne is a Victorian Government initiative providing support and information to this community of international students, helping them have the best possible time while studying and living in Victoria.There are a number of initiatives that are run by Study Melbourne around support programs, networking events, volunteer opportunities and plenty more.
Extreme Hardship Support Program
You may be able to access financial help through the Extreme Hardship Support Program if you can’t access the International Student Emergency Relief Fund. The Victorian Government has recently doubled this payment.
External Support Services
There is a range of external support services that are available to all International Students. Each of these support services provides a range of in-person support, over the phone, email to remote. They are very supportive and a great resource to have when you or someone you know is in need of support and each service comes highly recommended by the University of Melbourne CAPS Team.
beyondblue is an organisation that provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
The Black Dog Institute is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan and its aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. They have a range of information and resources on mental illness, online self-testing, current treatments, and wellbeing.
Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation that focuses on providing early intervention mental health services to individuals between 12-25yrs. They can support young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
Reachout.com is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. They have a range of trusted self-help information, peer-support program, and referral tools that save lives by helping young people be well and stay well.
Sane Australia is a national health charity making a real difference in the lives of people affected by complex mental health issues through support, research, and advocacy.