Government-Backed Hubs Built Specifically for You
Most international students don't realise that state governments run dedicated agencies whose entire purpose is to support you — for free.
Study Melbourne Hub (Victoria)
The Study Melbourne Hub is a free dedicated space for tertiary international students living in Victoria, where students can study, access free services and advice, attend events, and connect with other students without any membership requirement.
What you get there, completely free:
- Free Wi-Fi, tea, coffee, and snacks in comfortable study spaces
- Support on financial hardship, accommodation and employment issues, student wellbeing and mental health, and general questions about living and studying in Victoria
- Free employment and accommodation legal advice
- A free one-on-one job readiness program (Work Ready) run with the Migrant Workers Centre — covering resumes, cover letters, interview prep, and job searching, available Monday to Friday afternoons, no appointment needed
Study NSW (New South Wales)
Study NSW is a government agency that supports international students in NSW, providing a wide range of free programs to help you live, study, and work in Australia. They also offer document translation assistance and settlement support for new arrivals.
For more information, visit the Study NSW website: service.nsw.gov.au/guide/support-for-international-students
The Study Melbourne Hub is free, no membership required. Walk in anytime. Phone: 1800 056 449 Website: studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/our-hub
Visit Study Melbourne Hub →| Resource | Link / Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Melbourne CBD — walk in, no membership required |
| Website | studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/our-hub |
| Phone | 1800 056 449 |
Free & Low-Cost Mental Health Support
Struggling with homesickness, study stress, or anxiety? You are not alone — and you do not have to pay for help.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs (Victoria)
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs in Victoria can help with lowered mood, anxiety, distress, homelessness, financial difficulties, and social isolation. International students are eligible. You do not need a referral from a GP or health professional, and you do not need to use your OSHC to access the service. All support is free and available to everyone of all ages.
Call 1300 375 330 or drop in to a walk-in service.
Medicare Mental Health Care Plans
If you have Medicare access through OSHC or another pathway, you can ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan. Medicare covers up to 10 psychology sessions per year, and if your therapist bulk bills, therapy can be completely free with no out-of-pocket cost.
National Free Crisis & Support Lines (24/7 — Available to Everyone)
- Lifeline — 13 11 14 (crisis support, any time)
- Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636 (anxiety and depression)
- headspace — free support for students aged 12-25, with centres in most major cities
- 13YARN — 13 92 76 (for First Nations peoples)
Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs Victoria — call 1300 375 330 or drop in anytime. Free for all international students. No referral needed. No OSHC required.
Free Legal Help
Many international students are exploited at work or in rental situations — often because they do not know their rights or where to get free help.
Study Melbourne Legal Service
Study Melbourne provides a free employment and accommodation legal service specifically for international students in Victoria. You can get confidential, independent advice on issues like unpaid wages, unfair dismissal, bond disputes, and lease problems.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman is a national government body. If you have been underpaid or treated unfairly at work, you can lodge a complaint for free at fairwork.gov.au. They have multilingual resources and anonymous reporting.
| Resource | Link / Details |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Tenants Victoria — tenantsvic.org.au |
| NSW | Tenants' Union of NSW — tenants.org.au |
| Queensland | Tenants Queensland — tenantsqld.org.au |
Career & Employment Programs
Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair
The Study Melbourne International Student Careers Fair is an annual flagship event connecting international students and recent graduates with Victorian employers, offering professional development and networking opportunities — all for free.
Volunteer to Lead (Victoria)
Volunteer to Lead is a Study Melbourne event where students can build employability skills, meet new friends, grow their professional network, develop skills employers value most, and apply for real volunteering roles.
Your University's Careers Centre
Every Australian university has a free careers centre. Most offer resume reviews, mock interviews, career counselling, and access to graduate job boards. Critically — these services are available to international students, not just domestic ones. Do not sleep on them.
Free Things to Explore in Melbourne & Sydney
- National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) — permanent collection always free
- State Library Victoria — free study spaces, exhibitions and events
- Melbourne street art laneways — Hosier Lane, Croft Alley, ACDC Lane
- Royal Botanic Gardens — free entry, perfect for walks and picnics
- Federation Square — free cultural events and markets year-round
- Queen Victoria Market (Sunday) — free to browse, iconic Melbourne experience
Discounts & Cards Every International Student Should Have
ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card)
The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) provides access to over 150,000 discounts worldwide, including Australian retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Costs around $30 AUD and pays for itself quickly. Website: https://www.isic.org/
Student Concession Cards (Transport)
Each state issues its own student transport concession card — these can save you 50% or more on public transport. Make sure you apply for yours as soon as you arrive. Check with your institution's student services office to confirm eligibility as an international student.
University Student Cards
Your university student card is your golden ticket. Most cinemas, museums, national parks, and even some restaurants offer discounts with a valid student ID. Always ask — the worst they can say is no.
ISIC Card gives you 150,000+ discounts worldwide including Australian retailers, restaurants and entertainment. Cost: ~$30 AUD.
https://www.isic.org/ →Essential Apps & Online Resources
| App | What It Does | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ServiceVic app | Access Victorian government services | Free |
| Service NSW app | NSW government services, fines, licences | Free |
| ATO app | Track your tax return, myTax | Free |
| Medicare app | Health claims, find bulk billing GPs | Free |
| OSHC app (Medibank / Bupa) | Health insurance claims | Free |
| headspace app | Mental health support | Free |
| Seek / Indeed | Job listings | Free |
| Flatmates.com.au | Share accommodation finder | Free |
| Opal (Sydney) / myki (Melb) | Public transport top-up and tracking | Free |
Understanding Australian Culture
This part does not come in a brochure — but it matters.
- Queue culture is serious.: • Australians queue in silence and expect everyone to wait their turn. Cutting the line is considered very rude.
- "How are you?" is a greeting, not a question: • When someone says 'how ya going?' they expect 'good thanks, you?' — not a real answer. It takes some getting used to.
- Tipping is optional: • Unlike the US, tipping in Australia is genuinely optional. A small tip at a restaurant is appreciated but never expected.
- Outdoor culture is central : • Parks, beaches, and barbecue areas are how Australians socialise. Joining a friend's weekend beach trip or a park hangout is a great way to build friendships.
- Workplace culture is fairly flat: • Calling your manager or lecturer by their first name is normal and expected, not disrespectful.
- Fair Go is a real concept: • Australians strongly believe in equality and fairness — and most are genuinely welcoming to international students. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Quick Reference — Save These Links
Bookmark this page — you will need it.
| Resource | Link / Details |
|---|---|
| Study Melbourne Hub | https://studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/our-hub |
| Study NSW | https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/international-students |
| Fair Work Ombudsman | https://www.fairwork.gov.au/ |
| Tenants Victoria | https://tenantsvic.org.au/ |
| headspace | https://headspace.org.au/ |
| Lifeline | https://www.lifeline.org.au/ |
| ISIC Card | https://www.isic.org/ |
| Study Australia | https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/ |
| ATO (tax) | https://www.ato.gov.au/ |
Social & Cultural Connection Programs
One of the biggest struggles for international students is social isolation — especially in the first few months. These programs exist precisely to fix that.
Language Exchange & Social Meetups
Melbourne has a range of thriving language exchange events such as the Melbourne Language Exchange, bringing together international and local students to swap languages in a casual, social setting — think coffee and conversation, not a classroom. These run regularly throughout the year.
Tip: Search 'language exchange Melbourne' or 'language exchange Sydney' on Meetup.com and Facebook Events to find current sessions. New ones pop up monthly.
Study Melbourne's Social & Wellbeing Programs
Study Melbourne organises events throughout the year where students can learn new skills, meet new people, network, and enhance their experience of studying and living in Victoria. In 2026, they partnered with Just Food Collective to offer free meals and inspiring workshops as part of their wellbeing programming. Events change throughout the year.
Events calendar: studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/events
Volunteering Programs
Study Melbourne runs a volunteer program open to current international students at Victorian tertiary education providers. It is a brilliant way to build your Australian network, improve your English in a practical setting, and add local experience to your resume.
Study NSW runs a similar volunteer program — students have welcomed thousands of new arrivals at Sydney and Newcastle airports as part of their welcome desk initiative.