Pre-departure Information
student employment - counselling support - education of dependant children - sexual harassment -
harassment - discrimination - in an emergency - living in Australia - budgeting - Australia - electrical
appliances - Melbourne information - public transport - driving - phone, internet, mail - banking - useful links
Student Employment
Advice is available to assist students in their search for work and accommodation. This is provided in the form of one
to one assistance in accessing resources for finding accommodation as well as workshops on writing resumes and
cover letters. Upon commencement of their course, International Students may apply for a work permit and work up to
40 hours per fortnight provided that work does not interfere with their studies. You must not work for more than 40 hours
per fortnight during the semester. During official holidays between study periods there are no restrictions on the number
of hours you may work. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find part-time work. International Students must ensure
their financial independence before coming to Australia.
Counselling support
Australian College of Trade offers free counselling services to students and provides referral contact information,
where appropriate. Referral to private practitioners will be at the expense of the student. All information is treated as
confidential and special attention is given to the specific challenges international student encounter when adjusting to a
new cultural environment (Refer to 'Professional Code of Practice' for further details).
Education of Dependant Children
In Victoria, school is compulsory for all children aged between five and fifteen years of age. The government provides
public schools. Churches and other groups run private schooling. You will need to check with the Department of
Education for their criteria and fee assessment in public schools. Fees are also payable for private schooling.
Note: Students holding temporary visas may be required to pay full school fees for their dependant children. Check with
individual schools for details.
Sexual Harassment
Under the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995, it is unlawful to sexually harass another. Sexual harassment is defined
as, any unwelcome form of behaviour, of a sexual nature, which takes place in circumstances in which a reasonable
person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the person harassed would be offended,
humiliated, or intimidated. This includes any unsolicited and/or unwelcome communication, including unwanted written,
telephone or electronic messages/images, display, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, and which:
1. creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive learning, academic, working, or living environment; or
2. implicitly, or explicitly, becomes a term or condition of a person’s academic evaluation or employment;
3. implicitly, or explicitly, becomes a term or condition for decisions which bear on a person’s grades in academic
evaluation, or a condition of employment, such as, appointment, promotion, salary, or any other condition; or
4. has the purpose or effect of interfering with a person’s academic, or work performance, such as, by denying
equality of opportunity, undermining the morale of persons, or denying the legitimacy of their place in the College.
Note: Actions based on mutual attraction and consent do not constitute sexual harassment.
Harassment
Harassment is defined as any unwelcome form of behaviour, which takes place in circumstances in which a reasonable
person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated that the person harassed would be offended,
humiliated, or intimidated. Harassment which amounts to intimidating or offensive behaviour will not be tolerated by the
College.
Harassment is inappropriate behaviour based on the following attributes:
• Age
• Pregnancy
• Impairment
• Race
• Breastfeeding (May 2000)
• Religious belief or activity
• Industrial activity
• Gender
• Lawful sexual activity
• Status as a parent or carer
• Marital status
• Personal association (whether as a relative, or otherwise) with a person who is identified by reference to any
of the above attributes.
• Physical features
• Political belief or activity
Examples of harassing behaviour include, “put downs”, intrusive and inappropriate questions, or comments about a
person, unwanted written, telephone, or electronic messages, threats, or attacks, on property or person, physical
violence, promises or threats related to status in the workplace, or as a student in the College. Nuisance calls, physical
violence, or threat of violence, can also constitute harassment. Some forms of harassment (as above) are criminal
offences and therefore should be referred to the police (e.g. stalking, assault, violence) This list of examples is
provided as a guide to the type of conduct which may be regarded as harassment. It is not an exhaustive list.
Harassment that is not based on the above attributes, may also be dealt with under the procedures for staff or student
Discrimination
Discrimination is defined as any decision(s), act(s), or omission(s), which disadvantage a person or group. Under the
Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995, it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of:
• Age
• Pregnancy
• Impairment
• Race
• Breastfeeding (May 2000)
• Religious belief or activity
• Industrial activity
• Gender
• Lawful sexual activity
• Status as a parent or carer
• Marital status
• Personal association (whether as a relative, or otherwise) with a person who is identified by reference to any
of the above attributes.
• Physical features
•Political belief or activity
Direct Discrimination - Section 8 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 states:
1. Direct discrimination occurs if a person treats, or proposes to treat, someone with an attribute less favourably than
the person treats, or would treat, someone without that attribute, or with a different attribute, in the same, or similar
circumstances.
2. In determining whether a person directly discriminates, it is relevant:
i. Whether or not that person is aware of the discrimination, or considers the treatment less favourable;
ii. Whether or not the attribute is the only or dominant reason for the treatment, as long as it is substantial reason.
Indirect Discrimination - Section 8 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 states:
1. Indirect discrimination occurs if a person imposes, or proposes to impose, a requirement, condition, or practice:
a) That someone with an attribute does not, or cannot comply with; and
b) That a higher proportion of people without that attribute, or with a different attribute, do or can comply with; and
c) That is not reasonable.
2. Whether a requirement, condition, or practice is reasonable depends on all the relevant circumstances of the case,
including:
a) The consequences of failing to comply with requirement, condition, or practice;
b) The cost of alternative requirements, conditions, or practices;
c) The financial circumstances of the person imposing, or proposing to impose, the requirement, condition, or
practice.
In determining whether a person indirectly discriminates, it is irrelevant whether or not that person is aware of the
In case of emergency
There are many legal and support services available to students in Melbourne. Most of these are provided free of
charge to anyone seeking help or making enquiries. The list below details some of the more common services. In case
of emergency, or students requiring assistance should contact the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Aakash Kumarwho is
available to all students, for assistance 24 hours a day on Mobile 0417 364 344.
Emergency contact details
Police, Fire & Ambulance (Emergency) 000
Special services contact details
• 24 hour Women's Domestic Violence (03) 9373 0123
• Vic Deaf Hearing Services (03) 9657 8199
• Beyond Blue National Depression 1300 224636
• Victorian Poisons 13 11 26 (24hrs, 7 days a week)
• Vic Roads 13 11 71
• 24 Hour Drug and Alcohol Counseling Information and Referral Service (03) 9416-1818
• Alcoholics Anonymous (03) 9429 1833
• Gamblers Anonymous (03) 9696-6108
•Grief Line (03) 9596-7799 (12pm to 12am)
Legal services contact details
• Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Legal Referral Service (03) 9607 9550 referrals@liv.asn.au
• Victoria Legal Aid (03) 9269 0234
Living in Australia
For the cost of groceries, food, clothing, household goods and similar everyday items see the following web sites:
Entertainment Approximate Cost (AUD)
Cinema ticket (full price) $19.00
Nightclub entrance $10.00 upwards
Transport Approximate cost (AUD)
Taxi $7.00 upwards
Bus, tram or train fare up to $12.12 daily (see www.ptv.vic.goc.au for timetables, fares and so on.
Budgeting
In addition to your tuition fees, you will be responsible for planning and budgeting your living costs. Below is an
estimated cost of living guide per month for a single student living in homestay accommodation
Melbourne Accommodation
Approximate cost per week (AUD) - Homestay prices (single room) from $165 - $300
For more information on cost of living and living and studying in Australia try the following link.
and for more accommodation