Welcome Desk

The Welcome Desk at Melbourne Airport, Terminal 2, is for all students arriving in Melbourne from the 7th to the 23rd of July 2012.

Visit the Melbourne Airport website to check the latest flight arrival information.

Where to find the Welcome Desk

Where: International Arrivals Hall, Terminal 2, Melbourne Airport (near the Meeting Point)

When: 7th - 23rd July 2012

Open: 7am to 1pm and 5.30pm to 11.30pm

The staff at the Welcome Desk will be able to:

• Provide information on temporary accommodation options
• Help you locate transport from the airport to Melbourne city centre and to education institutions
• Answer any questions you may have when you arrive.

Some of the staff will be able to speak languages other than English. Please feel free to come to the Welcome Desk, meet one of our friendly volunteer staff, collect a free Welcome kit and utilise our services.

Your Welcome Kit

At the Welcome Desk you will be given a free Welcome Kit containing information about Melbourne and Victoria. Your Welcome Kit includes information about:

• Help and support
• Student centres and groups
• Your safety
• Travel and tourism
• Visas and immigrating
• Working in Australia
• Your rights

Sponsors

This 2012 Welcome Desk program is delivered by the City of Melbourne in conjunction with the following sponsors:

• Optus (for phone, mobile phone and internet services)
• ANZ Bank
• Unilodge
• Student Housing Australia (SHA)
• www.studentaccomm.com.au
• Urban Central Accommodation
• RMIT Village
  

  For more information on finding a home, see the Accommodation section on this website.

References for international students

Help and support

• Newcomers Network  
  Learn about settlement strategies and living, working and networking in your new city. 
• International Student Care Service 
  A one-stop information, advice and support service specifically for international students. 
• International Student Legal Advisory Centre
  Get free legal advice, and take part in community education programmes to avoid common legal problems.
• Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission
  Find information on human rights and help to resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment and racial and religious vilification. 

Read more on student support services on the Study Melbourne website. 

Student centres and groups

• Australian Federation of International Students 
  Sign up for free membership to this organisation that provides advocacy, support services and organises cultural events. 
• The Couch – International Student Centre 
  69 Bourke Street, Melbourne 
  Socialise, relax and access a range of support services at this centrally located lounge space. A project coordinated by the Australian Federation of International Students and the Salvation Army.
• Australian University Sport
  Get involved in numerous sports events in a variety of locations across the country.   
• National Union of Students
  The national voice on student-related issues. The union represents student needs and interests. 
• Council of International Students in Australia
  The peak representative organisation for international students.   

Your safety

• Student fire safety
  Learn about common fire hazards and how to prevent fires in your home.
• Travel safe in Australia
  Get tips on how drive safely on Australian roads.
• Cycling and road safety
  Learn about road rules, bicycle safety and general bicycle maintenance. 
• Beach and Water Safety
  Access practical advice on how to stay safe on a trip to the beach or a bushwalk.
• Victoria Police
  Safety advice relating to your daily life in Victoria – at home, on campus, on the street, when driving and when using ATMs. 
• Emergency contacts
  In an emergency, call triple zero ('000') to reach police, fire or ambulance services. 

Travel and tourism

• City of Melbourne
  Promotes activities for international students such as the Student Welcome Desk.
• Culture Card 
  A free card offering international students special offers on cultural events and attractions in Victoria.
• Visit Victoria
  Official tourism website with information on Melbourne and Victoria. 
• Metlink Journey Planner
  Public transport options and timetables to help you plan your journey in Melbourne and Victoria.
• VLine
  Access public transport options and timetables for travel in regional Victoria.

Visas and immigrating

• Student Visa information
  Get all the information you need relating to student and professional development visas, and find out what is required to bring a family member or guardian with you.
• Skilled migration information  
  Have your skills recognised in Australia and increase your chances of gaining a job offer in Victoria.  

Working in Australia

• Information about working in Australia
  Get access to a translator, find links to unions and fair work agencies, and download information on workers' rights in your own language. 
• Australian Tax Office
  Before you start work, make sure you have permission from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and find out what visas you need.
• Your work rights 
  All people working in Australia have basic entitlements. This information provided will help you to understand your rights in the workplace. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman if you have any problems or questions relating to your work. They are there to protect and enforce your workplace rights. 

Your rights

• Your rights when renting a home
  Get all the information on the laws that protect the rights and responsibilities of tenants in Victoria.  
• Your consumer rights in Victoria
  Protect yourself from fraud and misrepresentation by learning about your rights as a consumer.

• ESOS laws for International Education
  Find out about the laws protecting international students and the legal responsibilities of education providers.