International and Study Abroad

International Office

The role of the International Office (IO) is to provide support and services for international students studying at ACU. We are here to assist you with visa-related issues, welfare and general support, bringing your family to Australia, issuing COEs and other official letters and assisting with the integration process as you get used to life in Australia.

Your International Student Adviser is also there to advocate for you and represent you in any way required during your stay at ACU.

The International Office is your first port of call for help and will refer you to other services where necessary.

What we do

Before you leave home, we:

• publish pre-departure information on both the international website and in the pre-departure guide
• compile and update information about living and studying in Australia; and
• assist new international students to find suitable accommodation and arrange for airport pickup where required.

When your arrive in Melbourne, we:

• conduct orientation programs and activities
• enrol new international students into their respective courses of study
• host a Melbourne Welcome program for study abroad and exchange students
• run international student briefings in conjunction with external bodies such as the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
• assist new international students with settling into Melbourne and student life
• run cultural workshops and other activities aimed at assisting the integration process; and
• act as your “first point of reference” and referral to other services as required.

During your study in Melbourne, we:

• provide ongoing support and advice to current international students regarding their welfare, cultural issues and general support
• advocate for, and represent international students as required
• provide information regarding visas and Overseas Student Health Cover
• alert international students to changes in Government regulations that directly affect their studies in Australia
• coordinate and host cultural events and social activities for international students; and
• refer international students to appropriate support services.

When you complete your studies, we:

• provide information on visa extensions
• coordinate with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to run information sessions regarding skilled migration programs
• organise farewell functions for study abroad and exchange students returning home; and
• in conjunction with the Careers Advisers, assist with programs to help international students find work in Australia if they intend to stay.

Studying abroad

Position yourself at the forefront in the graduate job market!

Who can go?

Local and international students who have completed at least a year of study* and obtained a GPA of five or above are eligible to apply for a semester or two of exchange at one of ACU’s partner universities.

What will it cost?

You will need to pay for food, accommodation, travel, textbooks, health cover and visa.

Financial assistance available from the Federal Government and ACU

• ACU $2500 travel grant towards airfare (applies to both local and international students)
• Federal Government OS HELP loans of up to $5410 per semester (added to student’s HECS debt) (local students only)
• Centrelink benefits continue to be paid whilst a student is on exchange; students who are not currently eligible for a “living away from home” allowance may become eligible for the payment when they go on exchange. (local students only)

Where can I go?

Start by checking the ACU Education Abroad website and browsing through our partner websites.

*six months of study for postgraduate students