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                    Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
                    Read latest updates on our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.
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                    International students

                    We welcome students from all over the world to Melbourne to study. The City of Melbourne provides a range of services, advice and support for international students.

                    For regular updates about international student support services and programs during the COVID-19 situation, please follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.

                    The Student Welcome Desk is located at Travellers Information Service, International Arrivals Hall, Ground Floor, Terminal 2, Melbourne Airport.

                    It’s open 7am to midnight, seven days a week and is a one-stop-shop for international students when they first arrive in Melbourne. Staff are available to support students and provide them with a free Student Welcome Pack with essential information for living and studying in Melbourne.

                    COVID-19 international student support

                    Melbourne’s international students make a vital contribution to our education system, economy and our city. We are committed to ensuring that our international student community is supported during the COVID-19 pandemic.

                    We are also calling for increased support for international students during the COVID-19 pandemic – including the establishment of a hardship fund to support students.

                    We’re developing a range of support for international students, including:

                    We are working with Study Melbourne, the lead agency in delivering an online support service for international students. Study Melbourne is dedicated to supporting the International student community in Victoria during this challenging time. They have recently launched a new COVID-19 Support for International Students hub. It features practical information for international students from the Victorian Government, and is frequently updated with the latest support and advice.

                    For more information about how to access affordable, healthy food, take a look at the Community Food Guide. To find out what health and essential services are available to you, see the Community Support Directory.

                    As you will be aware, this year’s Melbourne International Student Conference and other events have had to be postponed due to COVID-19. We look forward to providing you with an update soon.

                    COVID-19 health information

                    The easiest way to protect yourself and your family is to continue to follow instructions from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); Physical distancing is saving lives and it needs to continue. Everyone needs to comply with restrictions in place to keep yourself, your loved ones and the whole community safe.

                    If you have loved ones or community members who don't speak English as a first language, you can find information about the virus, myth-busting factsheets and printable posters in a range of languages on the DHHS website.

                    Online wellbeing programs

                    Friday Nights at Home

                    Looking for something to do on Friday nights now that we're all staying at home? Join us and Settled Services on Facebook at 8.30pm every Friday. Get informed and entertained while joining other international students, experts and friends to discuss the challenges of COVID-19 and support available.

                    On Friday 22 Friday Nights at Home will launch #ISOVision2020, a singing competition for all international students in Australia. Join us and Settled Services as we go live with international students singing from their living room.  And we need you to choose your winner.

                    View past episodes:

                    Melbourne International Student Hub

                    Melbourne International Student Hub is a City of Melbourne initiative to assist students to connect, create pathways to employment, share ideas and build knowledge in areas of interest through online events, learning programs and forums.

                    Please join our Runway Virtual community to hear and share the latest news about learning opportunities, careers, advice and support available for international students. For students with an interest in entrepreneurship, try the Runway Academy learning modules, developed by Tech Nation and the University of Cambridge.

                    Simply create a Virtual Runway profile and join us on the ‘City of Melbourne International Student Hub’ group under the ‘Communities’ section. 

                    Resume checking

                    The first round of resume checks is complete, and round two will open soon. Join us on City of Melbourne International Students Facebook and newsletter to be notified when round two opens.

                    Conversation Club with City of Melbourne Libraries

                    Meet and connect with new people, practice your English language conversation skills and stay in touch via the City of Melbourne Libraries' online Conversation Club. All sessions are facilitated by a native-speaker and are free. Book now.

                    Legal information for international students

                    If you need legal advice, we recommend first speaking with the legal advisers at your university, college or school.

                    The support staff at the Study Melbourne Student Centre may be able to connect you with employment or accommodation lawyers through their free clinics.

                    You can also check out Inner Melbourne Community Legal's free, multi-lingual International Student Legal Information Resource. Translated in English, Spanish (Español), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) and Chinese (中文). 

                    This resource was supported through City of Melbourne’s Community Grants program, as well as the International Student Welfare Program, a Victorian Government initiative.

                    Please note that if you are experiencing any problems with your accommodation, you can contact Consumer Affairs Victoria for assistance.

                    Overseas Students Ombudsman

                    The Overseas Students Ombudsman investigates complaints that overseas students have with private education and training in Australia.

                    The Ombudsman’s services are free, independent and impartial. Complaints about public education, which includes most universities, should be directed to state and territory ombudsmen.

                    Act of Translation: The Documentary

                    'Which story do you want to hear? The one I tell my parents…or the one I tell my friends?' In this moving and funny documentary 20 international students are propelled out of their comfort zones through theatre workshops and performances. By learning to tell their real stories they challenge and transform the narrative about Melbourne’s international student community.

                    See the full documentary by film-maker Irene Metter.

                    Act of Translation was a collaborative theatre project between the City of Melbourne, Study Melbourne, RMIT University, AFIS, the Immigration Museum, and independent artistic director, Catherine Simmonds.

                    Stay connected

                    If you would like the City of Melbourne to send you more information on events, programs and activities for international students, please join our mailing list.


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