Education Services for Overseas Students Framework

The Australian Government wants overseas students to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding study experience in Australia. To ensure this, legislation that promotes and regulates quality education and consumer protection has been introduced. These laws are known as the ESOS Framework and include the Education Services for Overseas (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code. Find out more about the ESOS framework and your rights and responsibilities as an international student studying in Australia.

ESOS Legislative Framework

Student Visa Requirements

Whether applying in or outside Australia, in order to be granted a Student visa by the Department of Home Affairs, applicants must meet specified evidentiary requirements which demonstrate their ability to meet the financial capacity, English proficiency and other relevant criteria.

All Student visa applicants must also satisfy general requirements relating to character, health, acceptable health insurance and intention to comply with visa conditions and have no outstanding debts to the Commonwealth of Australia (or have made acceptable arrangements to repay such debt).

Contact your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate to find out more about the process or visit the Australian Immigration website for current information applicable to you.

Permission to Work

When applying for your student visa, you are required to provide evidence of financial capacity to support your period of stay in Australia. Permission to work is intended to provide you with an enriched cultural and social experience in Australia. You should not rely on work to fund your studies.

If you and your family members are granted student visas you will be allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight once your course has commenced. Neither you nor your family members may commence work until the principal visa holder has commenced studying.

While the course you are studying is in session you cannot work more than 40 hours per fortnight. No work limits apply during recognised periods of vacation offered by your education provider. Family members will be allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight throughout the year.

Personal Safety

It is important to be alert and aware of your personal safety when you go out. If you are going out at night remember:

• Think ahead – consider how you are going to get home – what about pre-booking a taxi or arranging transport with a friend or family member?
• Never hitch-hike.
• Make sure that you stay with your party and that someone knows where you are at all times.
• Make sure you have enough money to get home or to phone.
• Keep away from trouble – if you see any trouble or think trouble might start – move away from the scene if you can. The best thing you can do is to alert the police and keep away.
• Walk purposely and try to appear confident. Be wary of casual requests from strangers, like someone asking for a cigarette or change – they could have ulterior motives.
• Try not to carry your wallet in your back trouser pocket where it is vulnerable and in clear view.
• If you are socialising in a public place never leave your drink unattended – drink spiking can happen.

If you are out:

• Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you, especially if you are alone or it is dark
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend or as part of a group
• Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible
• Walk confidently and at a steady pace
• Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the street or in a car – continue walking
• Be aware of your surroundings, and avoid using headphones – you might not hear trouble approaching
• Always keep your handbag, briefcase or bag in view and close to your body
• Be discrete with your cash or mobile phones
• When going to your car or home, have your keys in your hand and easily accessible
• Consider carrying a personal attack alarm
• If you do not have a mobile phone, make sure that you have a phone card or change to make a phone call, but remember – emergency 000 calls are free of charge.

Public Transport Safety

Travelling on public transport should be a safe and comfortable experience. Numerous security measures have been adopted to maximise the safety of travellers including: security officers, police, guards, help points, good lighting and security cameras. Most drivers also have two-way radios and can call for assistance.

More information, please click and download Student Handbook

Introducing Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia’s second largest city with a population of around 4.8 million. It also has a large number of international students who come from all over the world. Melbourne is an exciting place to live and study. It hosts a wide variety of events and festivals in its many sports complexes, art galleries, theatres, streets and laneways. It has a large number of parks and gardens, a thriving arts culture, bayside beaches and a blend of historical and modern architecture. The city is set around the shores of Port Philip Bay with the centre of Melbourne on the northern banks of the Yarra River about five kilometres from the bay.

Tourism In and Around Melbourne

Academies Australasia Polytechnic is located in the heart of Melbourne within easy walking distance of many tourist attractions, e.g.:

• The Melbourne Aquarium
• The National Gallery of Victoria
• Federation Square
• The Royal Botanic Gardens
• The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
• Old Melbourne Gaol
• The Melbourne Museum
• The Yarra River

There are also many interesting and beautiful tourist destinations within 100km of Melbourne that students can visit on weekends, e.g.:

• Goldfields region around Ballarat
• Great Ocean Road
• Phillip Island
• Yarra Valley wine regions
• Wilson’s Promontory

More information can be found at either www.visitvictoria.com or www.tourismvictoria.com.au

Public Transport

Melbourne has 3 main types of public transport

Train There are several routes running from the city to the suburbs. Southern Cross Station is just down the road from the Bourke St Campus.

Bus Bus travel is available in the suburbs and city.

Tram Tram travel is easy and convenient within the city and out into the suburbs. There is a free City Circle Tram.

Daily, weekly or monthly passes make it cheaper to travel by public transport. Transport passes are available at most newsagents and from train stations. Further information and journey planning can be found at metlinkmelbourne
International students are not eligible for travel concessions on Melbourne’s public transport system.

Taxis

There are a number of taxi companies in Melbourne. There is a taxi rank, in Bourke St, outside the Campus.

Driving

International students can drive in Victoria on their overseas licence, provided that the licence is current and in English; or is accompanied by an English translation from the Overseas Licence Authority.
To get a local licence, you will be required to go through the full testing procedure. This consists of a written test and a driving test.

Academies Australasia Polytechnic Alumni Association

We invite graduates of AAPoly’s courses to continue and maintain a relationship with the Institute. As a member of the AAPoly community, we value your ideas and believe that with your help, we can continue to make AAPoly an even better place to study. The invaluable networking opportunities are also likely to benefit your career prospects.

We also welcome any ideas to grow the AAPoly Alumni and any suggestions about activities or projects will help us plan for the future.

To join the AAPoly Alumni Association, please contact Student Services via alumni@aapoly.edu.au