International students MY LIFE AT LA TROBE 2016 YOUR GUIDE TO STUDY AND LIFE IN AUSTRALIA latrobe.edu.au/international CONTENTS 3 4 26 38 46 59 74 84 105 Accepting your Preparing for Accommodation Coming to Enrolment and Studying at Campus Living in Campus maps offer departure Australia Orientation La Trobe services and Australia facilities Vice‑Chancellor’s Message 2 Scholarships 19 Train station reception 39 Accepting your offer 3 Australia Awards students 19 Australian immigration 40 La Trobe International US Financial Aid 20 Baggage claim 40 authorised representatives 3 Living costs 22 Quarantine and customs 40 Preparing for departure 4 Pre‑departure and Climate 41 Preparing yourself 4 arrival checklist 24 Average temperatures 41 Online pre-departure briefings 5 When you accept your offer 24 Arrival and settling in 42 E-friends – Transition @ La Trobe 5 Six to eight weeks before When you first arrive 42 leaving home 24 Campus of study 5 Catching public transport Academic calendar 2016 7 What to bring with you 25 to university 43 Applying for a student visa 8 When you arrive 25 Be smart, safe, and well – happy and healthy! 45 Living and travelling safely – Accommodation 26 things to consider in advance 10 Temporary accommodation 26 Enrolment and Orientation 46 Students under 18 years of age 12 Important things to consider 27 Enrolment 46 Students with disabilities 13 On-campus accommodation 30 University Orientation 51 Students with families 14 Options at Melbourne 30 La Trobe username and password 53 Visa requirements 14 Options at Bendigo 33 Enrolment conditions for Study Spouses 14 Options at Albury-Wodonga 35 Abroad and Exchange Students 53 Accommodation 15 Options at Mildura 36 Frequently asked questions 54 Child care 15 Options at Shepparton 37 Studying at La Trobe University 59 Community services for children 15 Furniture 37 Academic calendar 2016 59 School 16 Coming to Australia 38 Public holidays 2016 59 Sponsored Students 18 Airport reception 38 Work and taxation 60 Welcome to La Trobe University! We have been recognised as the best IMPORTANT NOTE university in Victoria for student experience and innovation, in the inaugural Victorian External websites listed in this guide are International Education Awards (2013). independent of the University and may You can use each chapter of this guide be operated by businesses or private to help you settle into study and life individuals. La Trobe University does not at your La Trobe campus. endorse advertisements and information on these sites which are provided For any assistance please contact La Trobe as independent information only. International (LTI) – see page 64-65 for further details. International students’ rights 61 Textbooks 81 Getting around Mildura 100 Health insurance 61 Student organisations Getting around Shepparton 100 Tuition fees 63 and sports facilities 81 Shopping and food 100 Living in Australia 84 Financial assistance 63 Entertainment and recreation 102 ASK La Trobe Help Zone 64 Automatic Teller Machines Sporting events 104 (ATMs) 84 La Trobe International 64 Festivals 104 Tax File Number (TFN) 84 International Student Services Social lounge 104 Water usage 84 Programs – All Campuses 65 Handy guide 104 Student exchange opportunities 67 Internet, telephone Campus maps 105 and postal services 85 Learning styles Melbourne Campus 105 Social customs and conventions 86 and expectations 68 Bendigo Campus 106 Health and wellness 88 Academic policies 71 Albury-Wodonga Campus 107 Accessing medical services 89 Other academic support 72 Mildura Campus 108 Medical centres 90 Campus services and facilities 74 Shepparton Campus 109 Legal service 91 Smoking areas 74 Franklin Street Campus 110 Animals and wildlife 92 Security and safety 74 City Campus 111 La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary 92 Religious facilities 75 Campus contact information 112 Safety 93 Microwaves for student use 76 Index 114 Emergency services 94 Counselling service 77 Glossary 116 Transport 94 Student Engagement programs 77 Maps 96 Careers and employment services 78 Getting around Melbourne 96 Getting around Bendigo 98 Computer and email facilities 78 Library 80 Getting around Albury-Wodonga 99 My Life at La Trobe 1 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE At all of our campuses, we offer a range of programs and opportunities for you to connect with other students and engage in leadership, mentoring, volunteering, clubs and societies. I strongly recommend you get involved where you can, as these opportunities can have a significant impact on your overall experience as well as your employability once you graduate. Wherever your studies are based, I know that our staff will make every effort to ensure you are part of an active and diverse learning community, and that you are provided with dedicated personal and academic support to Professor John Dewar ensure you are successful in your studies. Vice-Chancellor and President As university students you will challenge each other and actively challenge us. We hope Welcome to La Trobe, a university your student experience will be fulfilling and with a proud history in both rewarding, providing an opportunity to excel. teaching and research. I wish you all the best during your time at La Trobe University. La Trobe is an internationally-recognised university. We’re ranked among the top 100 universities in the world under the age of 50. La Trobe is also a university that is local and global in reach – we’re the largest provider of higher education in regional Victoria through our campuses in Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Professor John Dewar Shepparton and Mildura. The La Trobe graduate Vice-Chancellor and President community is made up of 172,000 alumni based Meet the Vice-Chancellor: in over 100 countries. Approximately 2,600 latrobe.edu.au/vice-chancellor international students complete a degree with us each year and 19,000 La Trobe graduates are living overseas. 2 La Trobe University ACCEPTING YOUR OFFER This section provides important information Assessment Level 3 and 4 on accepting your offer to study at La Trobe University. Please read the information carefully. If you hold a passport from an Assessment Level 3 or 4 country, your eligibility for visa La Trobe University has been approved purposes was partially assessed by your as an eligible university by the Department La Trobe University representative when you of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) submitted your application. for Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP). SVP allows applicants for eligible courses You will also be required to demonstrate you (a Bachelor or Master’s degree or a Doctor have adequate funds to support your studies by of Philosophy or a package with one of these sending the following to La Trobe International: courses) to be assessed under the lowest § completed and signed Offer Acceptance Form risk Assessment Level irrespective of the § certified evidence of meeting any conditions Assessment Level assigned for that country. specified in your Letter of Offer, where For a list of country Assessment Levels, refer to: applicable border.gov.au/Trav/Stud § a Financial Guarantee Letter from your LA TROBE INTERNATIONAL AUTHORISED sponsoring organisation (if you are a REPRESENTATIVES Sponsored Student) Have you submitted your application § completed and signed Applicant Financial through one of La Trobe International’s Declaration Form. authorised representatives? If the University is satisfied that you are eligible for SVP, you will receive confirmation of this Assessment Level 1 and 2 in writing and only then will you be asked to If you hold a passport from an Assessment Level forward your payment for the required deposit 1 or 2 country, your eligibility for visa purposes as set out in your Letter of Offer.Do not send was assessed by your agent when you submitted your payment until your eligibility for SVP has your application. To accept your offer, send the been determined. following to La Trobe International through your For students who are commencing their La Trobe International agent: studies in mid-year, please note a new § completed and signed Offer Acceptance Form simplified student visa framework may § payment for the required deposit as set out be applicable. On 16 June 2015, the Australian in your Letter of Offer Government released the Future directions for streamlined visa processing report and § certified evidence of meeting any announced the introduction of a simplified conditions specified in your Letter of Offer, student visa framework (SSVF) to support where applicable Australia’s education services sector. § a Financial Guarantee Letter from your sponsoring organisation (if you are A copy of the Future directions for streamlined a Sponsored Student). visa processing report can be viewed on DIBP’s website: Your Offer Acceptance Form provides information border.gov.au/StudyinginAustralia/Pages/ on how you can pay for your deposit. student-individuals.aspx My Life at La Trobe 3 PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE PREPARING YOURSELF When you first arrive in Australia you may be feeling excited and a little anxious. It may be hard to leave friends and family behind. You may find it difficult to settle in. To help adjust to Australian life, keep in mind the following suggestions: § Find someone to talk to about how you are feeling. You may want to discuss your concerns with friends and family, particularly Mildura Campus (Deakin Avenue) those who have also travelled abroad. You could also talk to someone from International Student Services or Counselling Services ONLINE PRE-DEPARTURE BRIEFINGS about how you are feeling, and what you can You will receive an invitation email to join an do to adjust more quickly. online pre-departure briefing approximately § Join E-friends-Transition @ La Trobe (see a week before the dates that are set out page 5). on page 5. All commencing students and § Along with other new students, participate their families can join in. The webinars are in an online pre-departure briefing. The designed to help you prepare for study and scheduled sessions for 2016 are on page 5.