Student Support Services department at Hales Institute aims to help international students develop successful strategies for coping with the challenges of living and studying in an unfamiliar culture. We want all our students to achieve success in their studies and to make the experience of being an international student rewarding and enjoyable.

Our multicultural staff understands international students needs. We provide an integrated service to the students and their families.

Our services include:

• On-arrival information
• Orientation program to assist new students with transition to living and studying in Australia
• Airport pick
• 24 hours Student Assistance Line
• Assistance and support on cultural issues
• A range of social activities and events throughout the year
• Assistance with accommodation
• Career and job advice
• Welfare services
• Advice and referral to many relevant services if we are not able assist.
  

 The support we offer doesn’t finish at the end of the business day. We extend it to after hours and weekends offering students a 24 hours Student Assistance Line. This is a free call from landlines anywhere in Australia. Standard call rates apply from mobile phones.
Student Assistance Line (1800 011 951) allows students to receive a personalised response and full range of referral and information services when the student support office at Hales Institute is closed. Students can find someone to talk to when they need it most – if they might need help with accommodation, transport advice or personal safety concern, practical support locating a doctor near where they live, or help accessing counselling services if they feel overwhelmed or depressed because they are far away from their families and their homes.

Orientation

It is a requirement of the ESOS (Education Services for Overseas Students) Act 2000 that all international students attend orientation program prior to commencement of their studies.  Staff who run the orientation work hard to ensure that every student will be well equipped to achieve the best possible success in their studies.
Arriving early to attend orientation gives the student the chance to:

• See and talk to the most important people they will need to know at the institution.
•  Enroll early which will help the student to get the student card early. The student card is required to open bank accounts, borrow books from the library, and more.
• Meet and get advice from Student Support Services staff
• Find the way around the campus
• Library
•  Computer rooms and facilities
• Recreation and eating areas
• Clubs and Associations
• Classrooms
• Meet other International students who may share same concerns or fears.  Knowing another face on campus as you become more comfortable with the routines can really help to avoid any feelings of isolation.
• Find the way around the public transport/ City/ to and from your accommodation.
• Organise the bank account, OSHC card and ID card.
  

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

OSHC is insurance that provides cover for the costs of medical and hospital care which international students may need while in Australia and is mandatory for international student visa holders. OSHC will also cover the cost of emergency ambulance transport and most prescription drugs. From 1st of July 2010 overseas students need to purchase visa length health cover.

Accommodation

Melbourne is a modern, vibrant city and offers a huge range of accommodation choices to suit students’ needs. There are modern apartment buildings located right in the heart of the city, just a short walk from Hales Institute. There are backpacker hostels, private hotels and boarding houses, as well as houses and flats available for rent close to the city. We recommend all students to arrange accommodation prior to arrival in Melbourne. Hales Institute can assist with arrangements for short or long term “Homestay” with a host family, or alternatively with accommodation at student accommodation centre.
Homestay accommodation provides a choice of a private or shared bedroom, use of all facilities in the home (including laundry, though usually with the exception of telephone), and three meals are provided by the host family each day. The families and their homes are thoroughly inspected and police checks are carried out to ensure that they are of good character. Prices, including use of all facilities start from $200.00 per week. Airport pick-up can also be arranged when booking Homestay accommodation.
Melbourne’s newest student accommodation centre, Le Student 8, is located close to the city in the suburb of Preston and offers studio apartment accommodation, full 24 hour security, and a wide range of modern facilities including a shuttle bus service to the city, phone, fax and internet connections, cooking facilities, a restaurant, gymnasium and swimming pool. Prices start from AUD $250.00 per week.
Email us on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to book either of the two options.

Career and Job advice

Student Support Services run a weekly Job Club, workshop that provides an advice and help with:

• Preparation for job interview, CV writing, employment presentation skills
• Obtaining Tax File Number (TFN)
• Wage guidance
• Employer and employee expectations
• Workplace Ombudsman role.
  

Welfare Advice

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.