Where International Students in Australia Can Get Free Help: Campus, State and 24-Hour Services
International students in Australia can get free help at three levels: their campus, their state or territory student service, and 24-hour phone helplines such as Lifeline and the Suicide Call Back Service.
Free help for international students in Australia comes from three layers. Your place of study runs its own support services, your state or territory offers free student services, and national helplines provide 24-hour phone support. All three are free to use, and you do not have to wait until something goes badly wrong to reach out.
Start with your campus
Every Australian education provider, at all levels, has committed student support staff whose job is to look after international students. According to Study Australia, this is standard across providers rather than something you have to find on your own.
On-campus services commonly include:
- on-arrival welcome and orientation programs
- academic and student support advisers
- language and learning support
- mental health, wellbeing and counselling services
- employment and careers services
- childcare services
- prayer and worship rooms
- clubs, societies, and sport and fitness facilities
- banking, shopping and food outlets
- student accommodation and housing services
The exact mix varies, so check the website of your place of study. That page will list the activities and support actually available to you, including social activities that help you make friends and settle into campus life.
Then look at your state or territory service
Each state and territory in Australia offers free support services for international students. These can include support officers, careers advice, counselling, social groups and events, legal advice, and information about local services.
| State or territory | Student support page |
|---|---|
| South Australia | StudyAdelaide |
| Queensland | Study Queensland |
| New South Wales | Study NSW |
| Australian Capital Territory | Study Canberra |
| Victoria | Study Melbourne |
| Northern Territory | Study NT |
| Western Australia | Study Perth |
| Tasmania | Study Tasmania |
If you are not sure which one applies to you, it is simply the one for where you are studying.
When you need someone at any hour
If you are having a hard time, or worried about your mental health and wellbeing, Study Australia points to several options, many available in different languages. You can talk to a counsellor at your place of study, talk to your GP, use online self-help tools and resources, or join a peer support group or workshop.
For urgent support, these national helplines are available:
- Beyond Blue — talk or chat online with a counsellor.
- Lifeline — online chat, text and phone support, with a free language translation service for people who do not speak English.
- Suicide Call Back Service — 24/7 telephone and online counselling.
- Headspace — services including support for work and study, with a flyer translated into many languages.
- Embrace Multicultural Mental Health — multilingual information about mental health.
- Head to Health — support for culturally and linguistically diverse people.
Student clubs and associations
Student clubs and associations across Australia offer help and support to international students. They are usually run by your student peers, which makes them a natural way to make new friends and build networks. National associations include the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) and the Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS). Most education providers also have their own student association — check your provider's website.
In a life-threatening emergency
For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000) for police, ambulance or fire services.
What this looked like for one student
Study Australia's student stories include Aayush from Nepal, who studies a Bachelor of Business (specialising in Hospitality and Hotel Management) at TAFE NSW in Sydney. He describes adjusting to a new culture and lifestyle as his biggest challenge, and says that after making new friends, exploring Sydney and keeping in touch with his family, he began to settle in.
His advice to new students is to stay open to new experiences, manage your time well, and seek support when needed. In his words, there is a wide range of support services, community groups and teachers ready to help, and "there is always someone who can support you."