Student Support

A range of student support services are provided to students throughout the duration of their studies. These services come at no cost to the student, however if an external referral is required, the external provider of that service may charge a fee.

A Student Services Officer can be contacted for assistance and guidance on any matters from study issues and attendance through to personal problems.

Students who are facing difficulties with study or other personal issues can seek short term counseling through Student Support Services. Longer term counselling will be referred to an external counseling service which may come at a charge.

The Student Support Services staff are available to discuss physical, mental, or emotional issues that may arise for students during the course of their studies. Some of the issues which can be supported include:

• Understanding and adapting to Australian culture
• Coping without student’s friends and family – homesickness
• Worries about accommodation
• Concerns about  attendance or keeping up with studies
• Language problems
• Relationship problems at school, at home, or with flat-mates

• Coping with pregnancy and support available
• Becoming the victim of a crime or having an accident
• Violence at home or in a relationship
• Childcare or concerns about children
• Drugs and alcohol issues.

Students who face any difficulties are encouraged to see a Student Services Officer for assistance and guidance. Contact studentservices@pax.edu.auor go to Reception.

The Study Melbourne Hub is a study space in the centre of Melbourne for tertiary international students living in Victoria. The Hub is a welcoming place to network, attend events, meet other students and access support and advice.

You may access free support services, attend free student events, access student work spaces and make friends.

Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) needs of students is an important part of ensuring successful progression through the course. Students’ LLN needs are identified at the commencement of the course and monitored throughout the duration of their studies. Trainers and assessors are conscious of each individuals learning needs in class and will adapt their training and assessment methods to suit the needs of their students. Additional LLN support will be provided to students where necessary to assist them in successfully completing their course.

There are lots of things you can do to connect with others, even from home. Here are some ideas:

• Talking with friends and family over phone or social media is a great way to stay in touch with people you care about
• Call the support services and find online communities and clubs at your education provider, perhaps you could even suggest ways students can connect?
• Join Study Melbourne’s International Students of Melbourne and Victoria Facebook group and and look up Study Melbourne’s online events and workshops calendar.
• Organise a virtual coffee date with a colleague or professional contact you admire

Homesickness is a common emotional experience characterized by feelings of longing and nostalgia for one’s home country, culture, and familiar social environment.

As students from diverse backgrounds face challenges adjusting to new social norms, language barriers, and educational expectations, which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and disconnection. This feeling often manifests as sadness, anxiety, and sometimes withdrawal from social activities, affecting their academic performance and overall well-being.

In the link below you can find some strategies to overcome a feeling of homesickness:

Seven great ways to overcome homesickness

In some cultures, getting help for your mental health might be seen as strange. But in Australia, it is encouraged and very common, and there are many services available.

There are also several online mental health support services that you can turn to in your time of need. Many of Australia’s major mental wellness organisations have their own online chat rooms where you can speak to trained professionals.

Some of these providers are listed below:

• Beyond Blue
• Lifeline
• headspace
• Suicide Call Back Service
• Embrace Multicultural Mental Health

If you’re not ready to discuss your mental wellbeing with someone else, that’s okay. There are other resources you can use on your own. For example:

• • • ReachOut has a list of tools and apps to help you regulate your thoughts and emotions.
    • If you’re struggling with thoughts of self-harm, consider Calm Harm. This app gives you ideas of tasks that help you resist the urge to hurt yourself. It is free, private and password protected, it is available for use in several countries.
    • If you’re going through a difficult end to a relationship, you may want to check out Breakup Shakeup. This app gives you ideas of fun things to do to cope with your emotions, such as visiting a park or going camping. It is designed to help you find the value in social activities so you can heal faster.
    • There are also many online articles and resources available through the Australian Government’s Head to Health. You can consult these to find tips and strategies for managing your mental wellness.

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully engaged in the present moment. It is the ability to be aware of ourselves, what we’re doing and what we’re feeling, without any distraction or judgement.

You can practice mindfulness in many ways. You can try meditation or take short breaks throughout your day to just stretch and be present with how your body feels. You can take a walk and notice what you smell, feel, hear and see. You can also add mindfulness exercises to physical activities like yoga, pilates or sport.

You can also check out some apps to guide you on the path to mindfulness. These apps offer helpful tips and tricks for mindfulness exercises to improve your mental wellbeing.

Some of these apps include:

• • • Smiling Mind
    • headspace
    • Calm
    • Stop, Breathe & Think

There’s no place for xenophobia and racism in Victoria. In fact, it is against the law in Victoria to vilify someone because of their race or religion. If you experience or witness racist behaviour, you can report it to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

International students with a disability have the same legal rights and support services as local students in Australia.

A disability is any condition affecting a person’s body or mind. This can include:

• physical disability, such as, a loss of a body part or a failing part of the body
• learning disability that affects the ability to take in, process and hold information
• mental illness that may affect thought processes
• sensory disability, such as hearing or vision loss
• neurological disability that can affect the brain and central nervous system, or
• disease or illness.

If you are affected by a disability, the laws in Australia protect you:

• The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)
• Disability Standards for Education 2005 legislation.

Below disability support services are available to support you;

•  Disability services at universities
• Disability services at TAFE
• Disability Support Services Australia
• Hearing impaired: Deaf Connect and Deaf Australia
• Vision impaired: Vision Australia
• Mental health: Beyond Blue
• Employment: Australian Network on disability

You can search also online for social groups for people with similar disabilities in your area.

Check out the page from Study Australia for more information:  STUDY AUSTRALIA

Long before it looks like a problem, gambling can be causing harm.

Harm from gambling isn’t just about losing money. Gambling can affect your self-esteem, relationships, physical and mental health, work and study performance and social life. It can harm not only the person who gambles but also their family, friends, workplaces and community.

• Check your gambling to find out if you have a gambling problem.
• Learn more about gambling
• Find out the many ways to get help

Worried about someone else’s gambling?

If you’re concerned that someone close to you has a gambling problem, it’s best to say something to them, sooner rather than later.

An honest, non-confrontational conversation can start them on the road to recovery. But, the person may feel embarrassed or ashamed and try to avoid talking about it. Or they may deny they have a problem and argue that they don’t need to change.

Tips for starting a conversation with someone about their gambling are available here.