Free online and phone support services
If you need to talk to someone about your situation and your overseas student health care provider or institution are unable to help, you can seek help from the following places:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
- MensLine - 1300 789 978
You can access free online resources to help you look after your mental wellbeing:
- ReachOut: Tools that help under 25s with everyday questions through to tough times.
- Head to Health: Brings together 500+ resources and services from Australia's trusted mental health service providers.
- Orygen chatsafe: Tools and tips to help young people communicate safely online about suicide
- Beyond Blue: Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.
- Lifeline Australia: Phone 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.
- MensLine: Offers free professional 24/7 online counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management and family violence.
These services are free of charge and will not affect your enrolment or your visa.
Coping with isolation and loneliness
There are lots of things you can do to connect with others, even from home. Here are some ideas:
- Talking with friends and family over phone or social media is a great way to stay in touch with people you care about
- Call the support services and find online communities and clubs at your education provider, perhaps you could even suggest ways students can connect?
- Join Study Melbourne’s International Students of Melbourne and Victoria Facebook group and and look up Study Melbourne’s online events and workshops calendar.
- Organise a virtual coffee date with a colleague or professional contact you admire
Racism and Discrimination
There’s no place for xenophobia and racism in Victoria. In fact, it is against the law in Victoria 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.
- You can lodge a complaint by:
- emailing: enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au (with your name, preferred language and a contact number)
- completing the online form
- using the live chat
- Translated information about making a complaint is available here.
Gambling support
Long before it looks like a problem, gambling can be causing harm.
Harm from gambling isn’t just about losing money. Gambling can affect your self-esteem, relationships, physical and mental health, work and study performance and social life. It can harm not only the person who gambles but also their family, friends, workplaces and community.
- Check your gambling to find out if you have a gambling problem.
- Learn more about gambling
- Find out the many ways to get help
Worried about someone else’s gambling?
If you're concerned that someone close to you has a gambling problem, it's best to say something to them, sooner rather than later.
An honest, non-confrontational conversation can start them on the road to recovery. But, the person may feel embarrassed or ashamed and try to avoid talking about it. Or they may deny they have a problem and argue that they don’t need to change.
Tips for starting a conversation with someone about their gambling are available here.
Seeking support from Study Melbourne
Through Study Melbourne, the Victorian Government has developed tailored information to support your wellbeing, and to help you Study Well
Through Study Melbourne, the Victorian Government is offering support including access to online and phone counselling to international students in Victoria.
This is also available to students who are still overseas and those who are in self-isolation in Victoria.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria
For health advice about COVID-19, visit Coronavirus Victoria for the latest information to help you stay safe. Find out about:
- How to protect yourself and others from COVID-19
- Staying up to date with vaccinations
- When to wear a face mask
- A checklist of things to do if you think you have COVID-19
Call the Coronavirus Hotline if you have any questions about COVID-19. Phone 1800 675398
Seeking support from your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
If you are a student from overseas on a temporary student visa it is a condition of your visa to maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your visa. This means you need to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and keep your policy up to date as long as you hold this visa.
For international students who do not have adequate insurance coverage, Victorian hospitals will waive the costs of treatment if you need to seek medical advice or treatment for symptoms of coronavirus. This includes waiving payment and debt recovery procedures for ambulance transfers of people suspected to have coronavirus, who are taken to Victorian hospitals for assessment.
These arrangements have been put in place to ensure payment issues are not a barrier for people from overseas with coronavirus symptoms seeking early medical advice. Seeking medical treatment will not affect your visa.
Your insurance provider may be one of the following:
Health Insurer | Insurers website |
ahm OSHC | 134 148 |
Allianz Global Assistance | 13 67 42 |
BUPA Australia | 1300 884 235 |
CBHS International Health | 1300 174 538 |
Medibank Private | 1300 561 012 |
NIB OSHC | 1800 775 204 |