Your arrival
The University offers Australia Awardees a range of assistance to prepare for your arrival in Australia, including airport pickup, mentoring, and preparation programs.
Note: This information is for current awardees of the Australia Awards Scholarship. For information on how to apply for the Australia Award, see scholarships.
Planning your arrival
As a new awardee of the Australian Awards Scholarship (AAS), we encourage you to contact the Australia Awards office in your home country for information about your application, offer, pre-departure briefing and travel arrangements.
You should also visit the International Student Briefing page when planning your arrival to Australia. There you will find information about accommodation, cost of living, budgeting, and other essential information.
International Student Briefing
Airport pickup and temporary accommodation
The University offers a free airport pickup service to commencing Australia Awards scholars from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to the University of Melbourne and surrounding areas.
The University can also facilitate temporary accommodation bookings for commencing Australia Award scholars. Accommodation is available near the University's Parkville campus and at hostels in the central business district. Awardees are responsible for all housing costs.
Awardees will receive email instructions for booking both airport pickup and temporary accommodation.
Arrival mentor and briefing
All new awardees are matched with an arrival mentor who is a later-year AAS scholar. Your mentor can assist with some of the practical issues around settling in Melbourne, including information on services and facilities on and around campus.
Shortly before your arrival, your mentor will contact you via email to arrange a time and place to meet in Melbourne and attend an arrival briefing. At this briefing, you will meet AAS staff and receive information about:
- Opening a bank account and accessing your establishment allowance
- Setting up your stipend
- Enrolling in the Introductory Academic Program (IAP) and your main course
- Obtaining a student ID card.
You will also receive an arrival kit, which provides important information on other areas such as public transport and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Financial Aid and Housing
The University of Melbourne's Financial Aid team provide guidance on loans, grants, and government allowances and payments, as well as advice about how to manage your money.
Our Student Housing team can help give advice on tenancy, moving out, emergency accommodation and more. They have a handy accommodation guide for students about moving to Melbourne, including information on first steps and various accommodation options. Once you arrive, the Student Housing team may be able to assist you further via an appointment.
Preparation programs
Introductory Academic Program
New Australia Awards scholars must enrol and participate in the Introductory Academic Program (IAP) prior to the commencement of their first semester.
The IAP is a one-month program that focuses on developing the academic skills you'll need to make a smooth transition to study in Australia. You will be introduced to the demands of the Australian academic environment through tutorials and workshops. It also includes general information sessions, excursions, and time for self-directed activities such as finding accommodation.
The IAP covers:
- Orientation and adjustment
- Finding accommodation
- Health and wellbeing
- Finance and budgeting
- Bringing your family to Australia
- Argumentation and critical thinking
- Thesis writing and working with supervisors
- Basic research skills, seminar presentation and academic writing
- Computer literacy.
Watch the video below to hear more from our scholars and staff about the IAP experience.
Other preparation programs
Some awardees' offers include a preparation program to help them prepare for their main course.
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Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions
Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions is a two day intensive subject for awardees in the Melbourne Law School. The subject covers key topics around Australian common law.
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Chemistry Bridging Course
The Chemistry Bridging Course is a one-week intensive course recommended to certain awardees entering the Master of Arts in Cultural Materials Conservation. The course covers the basic concepts of chemistry and creates an immersion in chemistry theory and practice.
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Articulating course mentor program
The University has a number of awardees in articulating courses, whereby a minimum average mark is required in first semester in order to progress to another course at a higher qualification level (e.g. Graduate Certificate articulating to Masters).
An extra level of mentoring support is offered to all awardees in articulating courses. Mentors are current Australia Awards scholars who have previously completed an articulating course.
They are able to share advice and their experience, and guide articulating awardees in University processes, referrals to other teams and services, and time management.
Social and cultural programs
Welcome to Melbourne
Welcome to Melbourne is a cultural exchange program, in which commencing Australia Awards scholars are matched with a University alumnus or staff member. The program is an opportunity for new awardees to meet alumni and enjoy social and cultural activities.
Australia Awards Scholars Club
The Australia Awards Scholars Club (AASC) organises social and cultural events for awardees and their families, gives peer support, and provides networking opportunities.
Above: The 2018-2019 AASC committee
Instagram: @aasc.unimelb
Facebook: Australia Awards Scholars Club (AASC) Unimelb (closed group for members)
Email: aasc.melb@gmail.com