International students have access to support and services in the community. Below is information on these resources.
Resources for International Students
Youth ConneXions
Drop-in centre for young people aged 12-24. Staff provide support and advice.
Every Wednesday from 2pm to 5pm at Box Hill Baptist Church multipurpose space located on the second floor at 5 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill.
The drop-in sessions are an opportunity to relax in a safe space, participate in activities, connect with a youth worker or to seek support.
Youth ConneXions is Council's youth information, support and referral service for young people aged 12-25 to find information and seek assistance on a range of issues.
Study Melbourne
Study Melbourne is the Victorian Government’s official website for international students in Melbourne. It provides information and advice about living, working and studying in Melbourne.
Students can also visit the Study Melbourne Student Centre (SMSC) during business hours to access a range of information about health matters, general wellbeing, legal services, accommodation, financial management and safety.
The Couch – International Student Centre
The Couch is a space where international students can socialise, relax, study, and find information and assistance.
Address: 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 6pm-8:30pm
Insider Guides
International Student Guides are full of unique, engaging, easy-to-read content from both local and international students. It covers all that you need to know about studying and living in Australia, including the fun stuff!
More Information
Housing and accommodation
Study Melbourne
Visit the accommodation section of the Study Melbourne website to find out about housing options such as home stay, university accommodation, shared accommodation, hostels and guesthouses.
Website: studymelbourne.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant by contacting Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Phone: 1300 558 181
Interpreter services: 131 450
Website: consumer.vic.gov.au/housing
Tenants Union of Victoria
The Tenants Union provides advice, assistance, and advocacy for tenants.
Phone: 9416 2577
Website: tuv.org.au
Legal advice and visa information
International Student Legal Advice Clinic (ISLAC)
ISLAC is a free legal service for international students that provides advice on employment rights, traffic offences, criminal matters and information for victims of crime. Staff have language skills in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Tamil. Interpreter services are available by telephone.
Phone: 1800 056 449
Eastern Community Legal Centre
Contact the centre for free legal advice and referral.
Address: Box Hill Office, Suite 3, Box Hill Town Hall Hub, 27 Bank St, Box Hill VIC 3128
Phone: 1300 32 52 00
Email: eclc@eclc.org.au
Victoria Legal Aid Legal Information Service
Contact the Victoria Legal Aid Legal Information Service for free legal information over the phone. Interpreter services are available by telephone.
Phone: 1300 792 387 Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm
The Department of Home Affairs
Contact the Department of Home Affairs for information about visas, living in Australia and becoming a permanent resident.
The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman
The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman investigates complaints that international students have with private education providers. A private education provider can be a school, college or university in Australia. They provide support to future, current or former students. Their service is free and do not charge for making a complaint.
Website: https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/complaints/international-student-complaints
Phone: 1300 362 072 (Calls from mobile phones at mobile phone rates)
Fair Work Ombudsman
Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for advice and help with understanding your workplace rights and responsibilities.
Phone: 131 394
Interpreter services: 131 450
Health
Seeing a Doctor/Going to the Hospital
If you need to see a doctor or go to the hospital, do an internet search for your local area. If you are unsure of fees and charges you should contact your overseas health cover provider.
Nurse On Call
Contact Nurse On Call for free expert health advice over the phone from a registered nurse.
Phone: 1300 606 024
Better Health Channel
This Better Health Channel is a Victorian Government website that provides general health and medical information to help individuals and their communities improve their health and wellbeing.
Lifeline
Lifeline provides a 24-hour crisis support on suicide prevention and mental health services.
Phone: 13 11 14
Headspace Box Hill
Address: Level 1, 19-23 Prospect Street, Box Hill
Phone: 9810 9310
Email: boxhill.headspace@mindaustralia.org.au
Free and confidential youth friendly service.
Police stations in Whitehorse
Local Police stations are the place to go to report a crime or if you are a victim of a crime. You can also get assistance with signing of legal documents and workplace criminal checks.
To find your local Police Station police.vic.gov.au/location
Waste services in Whitehorse
- Recycling and waste centre
If you have additional waste, recycling or bulky items they can be taken to our Recycling and Waste centre. Most recycling items are free and some items may come at a small cost.
- Hard waste
We offer two free collections per financial year to collect bulky items such as furniture, whitegoods, mattresses and bed bases. Please note this service is only available to those with a council bin. Book online or call 9780 6120.
- Reusable goods drop off
This convenient program provides a free opportunity to donate reusable goods, clothing and recycling electronic items, saving them from landfill. Items collected will go to local and global communities.
- What can go in my bins?
Presenting your bin correctly is important, by doing so you will:
- help keep workers safe
- ensure items collected can be disposed or recycled correctly
- ensure your bin gets collected
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