Student Support

PAX Institute of Education provides a comprehensive range of support services to help students succeed in their studies and maintain their wellbeing. These services are available at no cost to students. If an external referral is required, the external provider may charge a fee.

Our Student Support Officers are available to discuss any matters from study issues and attendance through to personal concerns. Students facing difficulties are encouraged to seek assistance early.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Support

Language, literacy and numeracy needs are identified at the commencement of your course and monitored throughout your studies. Trainers and assessors are conscious of individual learning needs and will adapt their training and assessment methods accordingly. Additional LLN support is provided where necessary to assist you in successfully completing your course.

Study Skills Support

PAX provides guidance on:

• Time management and study planning
• Note-taking and research skills
• Exam and assessment preparation
• Academic writing
• Interpreting assessment requirements and feedback

IT and Technical Support

Assistance with the learning management system (LMS), email, online resources and technical issues is available. Contact: (03) 9041 3466 or speak with your academic officer in person.

External Tutoring Services

If you need additional tutoring support, Melbourne has quality tutoring services available:

• Student Tutors: studenttutors.com.au
• Superprof: superprof.com.au
• Learnmate: com.au

ESL Tutoring: www.esltutoring.com.au

Students facing difficulties with study or personal issues can access support through PAX Student Support Services. Short-term counselling is available on-site, while longer-term counselling will be referred to external services (which may involve a fee). Our staff can discuss physical, mental or emotional issues that may arise during your studies.

Issues We Can Help With

• Understanding and adapting to Australian culture
• Homesickness and coping without family and friends
• Accommodation concerns
• Attendance or keeping up with studies
• Language and communication difficulties
• Relationship issues at school, home or with flatmates
• Pregnancy support and resources
• Being the victim of a crime or accident
• Family or domestic violence
• Childcare concerns
• Drugs and alcohol issues

PAX Medical and Mental Health Services

PAX Institute has a partnership with MYASTMEDICAL to provide GP and mental health services online. If you need a referral, please speak to our Student Support staff.

In Australia, seeking help for mental health is encouraged and very common. Many services are available, including free online and telephone support.

Crisis Support (24/7)

Mental Health Services

• Beyond Blue (depression & anxiety): 1300 22 4636 | beyondblue.org.au
• headspace (12-25 years): (03) 9027 0100 | org.au
• MOST (free online mental health for 12-25 years): most.org.au
• MindSpot (online mental health): 1800 61 44 34 | mindspot.org.au
• Head to Health (mental health gateway): headtohealth.gov.au
• Embrace Multicultural Mental Health: org.au
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 | org.au

Coping with Homesickness

Homesickness is a common experience for international students. It often manifests as sadness, anxiety, and sometimes withdrawal from social activities. Strategies to overcome homesickness include:

• Talking with friends and family over phone or social media
• Joining online communities and clubs at your education provider
• Participating in Study Melbourne events and workshops
• Organising virtual coffee dates with colleagues or professional contacts

Mindfulness and Self-Help Apps

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully engaged in the present moment. Try these apps to support your mental wellbeing:

• Smiling Mind – Australian mindfulness app
• Calm – Meditation and sleep
• Calm Harm – Helps resist urges to self-harm
• ReachOut – Tools to regulate thoughts and emotions
• Headspace (app) – Guided meditation

Study Melbourne Hub

The Study Melbourne Hub is a dedicated space for tertiary international students in Victoria. It offers free services including:

• Study spaces with free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee and snacks
• Free professional development programs
• Advice on financial hardship, accommodation, employment and wellbeing
• Free legal clinics for employment and accommodation issues
• Student events and networking opportunities

Contact: 1800 056 449 (or +61 3 9623 1512 from outside Australia) | studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

The Couch – International Student Centre

The Couch is a free initiative of the City of Melbourne and The Salvation Army Project 614. It provides international students with:

• A safe place to make friends and socialise
• Free cooked meals
• Connection to support services (housing, employment, legal, counselling)
• Cultural activities and events

Address: The Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614, 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000 Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 6:00pm – 8:30pm Cost: Free for international students (free meal provided)

Seeing a GP (General Practitioner)

A GP is a doctor with broad knowledge of health issues. They should be your first point of contact for non-emergency health care, including:

• Treatment for common illnesses
• Vaccinations
• Mental health consultations
• Sexual health
• Screening and preventive care
• Referrals to specialists

Search for a doctor: www.healthdirect.gov.au | Health advice line: 1800 022 222

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

International students must maintain OSHC for the duration of their student visa. Contact your OSHC provider for information about claiming medical expenses and finding approved providers.

International students with a disability have the same legal rights and support services as local students. Disabilities include physical, sensory, learning, neurological, and mental health conditions. Australian laws protect you under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

PAX Reasonable Adjustments: If you have a disability, PAX can make reasonable adjustments to support your learning. This may include extended assessment time, alternative formats, assistive technology, flexible attendance, or modified equipment. Please speak with Student Support to discuss your needs.

Disability Support Resources

• Vision Australia: 1300 84 74 66 | visionaustralia.org
• Deaf Connect: deafconnect.org.au
• Job Access (employment support): 1800 464 800 | jobaccess.gov.au
• Study Australia Disability Info: studyaustralia.gov.au

• Victoria Legal Aid: 1300 792 387 | legalaid.vic.gov.au
• Community Legal Centres Victoria: fclc.org.au
• Tenants Victoria (rental advice): (03) 9416 2577 | tenantsvic.org.au
• Migration Agents: mara.gov.au (for registered migration agents)

As an international student, you have the same workplace rights as Australian workers. You are entitled to minimum wage, safe working conditions, and fair treatment.

• Fair Work Ombudsman: 13 13 94 | fairwork.gov.au
• WorkSafe Victoria: 1800 136 089 | worksafe.vic.gov.au

There is no place for xenophobia and racism in Victoria. It is against the law 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.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Phone: 1300 292 153 Email: enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au Website: www.humanrights.vic.gov.au

• National Debt Helpline (free financial counselling): 1800 007 007 | org.au
• MoneySmart (financial guidance): gov.au
• PAX Payment Plans: Speak to our Administration team about payment plan options for course fees.

Long before it looks like a problem, gambling can be causing harm – not just financially, but to your self-esteem, relationships, health, and studies.

• Gambler’s Help (Victoria): 1800 858 858 (24/7) | com.au
• Gambling Help Online: gamblinghelponline.org.au
• BetStop (self-exclusion register): betstop.gov.au

• Study Melbourne Accommodation: vic.gov.au/live/accommodation
• Tenants Victoria: (03) 9416 2577 | tenantsvic.org.au
• Launch Housing (emergency housing): 1800 825 955 | launchhousing.org.au
• Consumer Affairs Victoria – Renting: consumer.vic.gov.au/housing

If you have concerns about your education provider that cannot be resolved internally, you can contact:

• Overseas Students Ombudsman: 1300 362 072 | ombudsman.gov.au
• PAX Complaints and Appeals: See PAX Complaints and Appeals Policy or speak with Student Support.

For more information, please refer to Student Training and Wellbeing Support Policy.