International Students | Student Support

BAA is committed to providing support to international students in adjusting to study and life in Australia, as well as achieving their learning goals and attaining the learning outcomes of their course.

BAA is committed to providing appropriate support and welfare services to students to enable and provide them an environment, in which each student feels safe and supported, and contributes in a positive manner.

BAA provides a range of student support services to all its Students in order to assist and support the successful achievement of their learning outcomes. Services may include (but are not limited to):

• Pre-enrolment information and materials
• Orientation information and orientation programs
• Study support and study skills programs;
• Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
• Equipment, resources and/or programs to increase access for learners with disabilities;
• Mediation services or referrals to these services;
• Flexible scheduling and delivery of training and assessment;
• Counselling services or referrals to these services;
• Academic pathways and further study information
• Information technology (IT) and Learning Management Systems (LMS) support;
• Learning materials in alternative formats, for example, in large print for students with special needs

Dedicated student services staff ensure that Students have access to all the required services, counselling and referrals.

In addition, BAA has delegated a full-time, on-site Student Welfare Officer to provide student welfare related services and referrals, including (but not limited to) accommodation, counselling, crisis services, disabilities and equity issues, financial matters, legal issues, medical issues, mental health, peer mentoring, programs promoting social interaction, religious and spiritual matters, employment rights as a student, and stress-management.

The college acknowledges the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, and its obligation as an education and training provider to support the rights of students with disability to participate in educational courses and programs on the same basis as students without disability.

Students who wish to apply for adjustments to training or assessment methods on the basis of a disability should contact the Training Manager and bring supporting documents for consideration of disability (e.g. a letter from a treating professional).

Students with disabilities are subject to the standard rules and policy on assessment and teaching methods, and assessment is only varied where a student can demonstrate with appropriate documentation that he/she is disadvantaged as a result of disability.

BAA shall ensure that appropriate student support services are available to assist students in completing their studies and reaching their academic goals.

Information on student support services, and procedures for accessing these services, including contact details of the LLN and Student Welfare Officer will be made available to all the students through;

• Student Handbook
• Website
• Student Orientation Program

 

The LLN and Student Welfare Officer shall ensure that up-to-date information is available for student support services and that any contact details provided are current.

Students may access the LLN and Student Welfare Officer directly (e.g. email, phone) or by contacting any Student Services staff on 1300 LEGEND or sending an email to enquiries@buildersacademy.com.au

There are many consumer protection and support services available for International Students. This includes services provided directly by BAA as well as those provided by a range of state, territory and federal government departments.

The City of Melbourne and governmental agencies provide a range of services, advice and support for International Students, among them are:

 

Student Welcome Desk

It is located at Travellers Information Service, International Arrivals Hall, Ground Floor, Terminal 2, Melbourne Airport.

It’s open from 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

 

Study Melbourne Student Centre

This is an amazing Victorian Government initiative that supports International Students like:

• A welcoming place where you can study with free facilities such as Wi-Fi, printing and computers.

• Interpreting services for free.

• General information and help with accommodation, health, employment and legal problems.

• Help International Students to access services in the community.

• Help to find the right service for Students in crisis.

• Free monthly events and activities.

• Free legal advice about workplace rights.

To find out more information visit the website: www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

This is a highly recommended service for any International Student- defiantly check out Study Melbourne and get involved!

 

Insider Guide to Melbourne

The City of Melbourne and Insider Guides have produced a guide to help International Students settle into the Melbourne way of life. The guide was written by Students for Students and answers questions about what to do and where to go in Melbourne.

Download the guide or pick up a copy from your educational institution, Federation Square Visitor Centre or the Melbourne Library Service.

If you are experiencing any problems with your accommodation, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria for assistance.

 

Events, Programs and Activities

The City of Melbourne is involved in a range of events and programs specifically for International Students. These include workshops, tours, performances, volunteer opportunities, the Lord Mayor’s Student Welcome and the Melbourne International Student Conference.

To find out more, subscribe to the newsletter.

 

Consumer Protection

Australian has a strong consumer protection framework to protect the rights of Australian consumers, including International Students in Australia. The Australian Consumer Law includes a national law guaranteeing consumer rights when buying goods and services.

Visit www.consumerlaw.gov.au to find the relevant government agency for where you are living and studying.

 

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. You can find out more about this service on their website: www.ombudsman.gov.au or specifically for VICTORIA state is – www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au

 

Tuition Protection Service

The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is an initiative of the Australian Government to assist you if your institution is unable to fully deliver your course of study. The TPS may also assist you if you have withdrawn from, or not started, your course and are eligible for a refund of tuition fees and the institution has not paid them.

The TPS will ensure that you are able to either:

• Complete your studies in another course or with another institution, or

• Receive a refund of your unspent tuition fees.

Under the Tuition Protection Service International Students have a number of rights and obligations. For more information visit the website Tuition Protection Service in www.tps.gov.au

 

Disability Support

Australia has laws that protect individuals from discrimination in many areas of public life, including education. A person with a disability has just as much right to study as any other student. 

Find out more about disability rights in Australia at ADCET

 

Refuge Of Hope

Refuge of Hope is a not for profit organisation that was born out of a desire to serve and assist migrant, refugees and International Students from Latin America in Melbourne. This includes student services such as:

• Referral services

• Welcoming Activities

• Food Donation

• Buddy Program

• General community events and activities

• Latin American Students Skill Development Program

• May also be able to provide emergency and crisis support

Find out more information visit the website:  www.refugeofhope.org.au

 

Other Support Services

Some other support services that may be useful to know while you are studying in Australia are: Emergency matters

• Contact details– 000

• Service details– Life threatening situations, such as a car crash or a fire.

 

Local Police – Non Urgent Matters

• Contact details– In Victoria you need to call your local police station (consult your local Telephone

        Directory)

• Service details– Police attendance for non-urgent matters.

 

Lifeline

• Contact details– 13 11 14

• Service details– Lifeline provides crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support 

        services across Australia. These can include stresses from work, family or society and physical and

        mental wellbeing. Lifeline offers support services by phone or through their online chat available on

        their website www.lifeline.org.au.

 

Poison Information Centre

• Contact details– 131 126

• Service details– Provides advice on the management, assessment and treatment of poisonous

        products including non-prescription pharmaceuticals, household and industrial chemicals, and plant

        and animal venom.

 

Sexual Assault Support Services

Centres against sexual assault provide provide 24 hour crisis support and can be accessed without first reporting to police.

Sexual Assault Crisis line number is 1800 806 292

The Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (SACL) is a state-wide, after-hours, confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. It is the central after-hours coordination centre for all recent sexual assaults and provides immediate crisis responses throughout Victoria.

SACL operates between 5pm weeknights through to 9am the next day and throughout weekends and public holidays.