CQUniversity
 

CQUniversity Student Support and Services

CQUniversity's experience as an international university has allowed us to develop a student support and services network that is on hand to provide students with a wide range of academic, personal and language services.

It's all part of an integrated support network that has helped establish CQUniversity as one of Australia's most popular destinations for international students.

Student Support

The Student Support team offers the following services:

  1. Provides information on airport meet and greet upon arrival
  2. Conducts orientation programs for new students.
  3. Offers mentoring system to ensure that all new students have a staff member to contact.
  4. Cultural and student excursions and activities.
  5. Personal issues - offering a confidential counselling and referral service.
  6. Assistance with student visa issues.
  7. Offers avenues for Grievance Resolution
  8. Works with academic staff to monitor academic performance and provide assistance where necessary.
  9. Connecting students with the on-campus Learning Skills Unit.
  10. Connecting students with the on-campus Training, Education and Careers Coaching Services.
  11. Referrals from faculty relating to academic issues.
  12. General Student support.

If you wish to find out more about how the Student Support team can assist you with anything from being picked up from the airport, visa issues, accommodation queries please send us an e-mail - Find Out More

Learning Skills Unit

CQUniversity's Learning Skills Unit is a free service offering tailored academic and English language support for international students.

The unit has proven to be one of the University's best investments. Its sole aim is to provide complete support for those making the transition to tertiary study in Australia.

Staffed by part-time and full-time professionals the Unit provides workshops on a multitude of subjects including:

  • Understanding University Expectations
  • Developing critical thinking and analytical skills
  • Referencing & Plagiarism
  • Oral presentations
  • Academic Writing
  • Working with Case Studies
  • Analysing course-specific assessment tasks
  • Exam Preparation
  • Time management and study planning
  • Getting the most out of lectures and tutorials oral presentations
  • Group Work

If you'd prefer to work on a one to one basis, individual appointments can be made at any stage of your studies. LSU also provides a range of printed and online resources to further help students achieve their best academically.

Remember all services at LSU are free and completely confidential.

If you wish to find out more about how the Learning Skills Unit can assist you - Find Out More

Training Employments and Career Coaching

The Student Support Centre allows students to access a range of employment and career-oriented services. These services are provided without charge, their availability is dependent upon the student's specific or particular need. Services available to students may include:

  • Daily access (via direct email) to part-time, casual, vacation, graduate and full-time job-vacancies.
  • Various group workshops, ranging from Resume Design, Interview Skills to Network.
  • Telephone Interviews.
  • Individual career plans and a customised employment/career advisory service.
  • Involvement with community projects and volunteer research positions in industry.
  • Assistance with the preparation of professional job application.
  • Documentation (resumes, letters, selection criteria).
  • Faculty and industry related talks by employers.

If you wish to find out more about how Employment Preparation and Career Planning can assist you and how to gain Casual and Graduate Employment - Find Out More

Work While You Study

Many international students have enjoyed the experience they gain by obtaining work during their stay in Australia. Part time or casual employment can not only provide students with the opportunity to earn extra income, make new friends and establish contacts.

International students who are granted Australian Student Visas automatically receive a work visa. Your work visa permits you to work up to 20 hours per week in part-time employment during term and full-time employment during vacation.

You do need to obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) to work in Australia. You can obtain a TFN online from the Australia Tax Office website or pick up an application form from the University.

CQUniversity provides support for international students to source employment. Many employers advertise daily via the University for casual and part-time employment (less than 20 hours per week).

If you wish to find out more about working in Australia - Find Out More

Accommodation

International Students studying at CQUniversity can choose from a variety of accommodation options including: on-campus accommodation at selected campuses, renting an apartment or a house or homestay.

Living on-campus is excellent value for money due to reduced transportation and living costs, with the additional opportunity to create many life-long friendships in a close-knit community environment.

On-campus accommodation is available at CQUniversity's Rockhampton and Brisbane campuses.

In Rockhampton Capricornia College, provides a caring and supportive community environment accommodation for 320 male and female students. For further information about Capricornia College - Find Out More

CQUniversity Brisbane on-campus accommodation is available at Unilodge, a 26-storey student accommodation facility located in the same building as CQUniversity Brisbane. For further information about Unilodge - Find Out More

If you'd prefer to live off-campus good, reasonably priced, self-catering rental accommodation can be found close to the campus. Shared accommodation listings are advertised in local newspapers and on campus notice boards. Typically students select furnished places to save the expense of buying furniture. Keep in mind that apart from your weekly rent expenses such as electricity, gas and telephone services can be expected. We will offer you all the assistance we can in finding suitable accommodation.

For those who decide to rent, tenancy agreements are usually for a fixed amount of time (such as for 6 or 12 months). This agreement is a legal document, which sets out the conditions of rent, dates when the agreement starts and ends and the terms of the agreement.

You should not sign any legal document or pay a bond until you have read and understood all the terms and conditions. It is important to note that it is not possible to arrange this type of accommodation until after your arrival, as you must inspect the accommodation personally prior to signing a tenancy agreement.

Homestay is another popular option where students are placed with local families. This provides students with a true local experience and is a good way to improve their English language skills. Students are provided with their own room and meals and are also expected to assist with cooking and cleaning as a household

To give you an idea on what rental opportunities are available in Australia go to http://www.realestate.com.au/

Health Cover

International students and their families must obtain health insurance through the Overseas Student Health Cover Scheme (OSHC).

Medibank Private is the preferred OSHC provider for CQUniversity. Your first payment must be made when you pay your first term tuition fees, prior to coming to Australia.

The annual membership fee is $708 for a family and $354 for a single for 12 months, $354 for a family per semester and $177 for a single per semester. It is a condition of your student visa that you renew and pay for your membership each year or part year you are enrolled.

If you have a health problem, make an appointment to see a doctor (look under medical practitioners in the telephone book). If you require emergency medical attention after hours go to the Accident and Emergency Section of your nearest hospital.

OSHC will contribute towards the cost of medical and hospital care you may need while studying in Australia. The OSHC scheme covers you for 85% of the recommended government scheduled fee for a doctor's visit (including a specialist doctor) and pathology and X-ray services.

For medical services while you are an admitted patient at a hospital, OSHC will pay 100% of the schedule fee. If the doctor charges more than the schedule fee, you pay the difference. OSHC pays the cost of ambulance transport to a hospital or medical centre if you have an accident or an unforeseen illness that requires immediate medical attention. OSHC does not cover the cost of dental, physiotherapy, optical, or any other ancillary services.

How to make an OSHC claim

When you receive treatment from a doctor you will be given an account to pay. After you have paid the doctor's account, take your account and receipt together with your OSHC membership card to any Medibank Private Office to apply for your cash refund.

Extra Private Health Insurance

You may consider joining a private medical insurance company to cover you and your family for some of the cost of services not covered by OSHC including optical, physiotherapy, dental and some pharmaceuticals. You may arrange private health insurance through Medibank Private or other health funds listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone director.

For more information about Health Cover - Find Out More

Visa Information

To study in Australia you will require a student visa. The type of Visa you need depends on the length of your stay.

If your intended stay in Australia is 3 months or less you may apply for a short stay visa. For periods of study greater than 3 months a Student Visa is required and is granted only if you enrol in a registered, full-time program in Australia.

All courses for international students, and the Australian education and training institutions that offer them, must be registered with the Australian Government.

Students can apply for a visa online. Simply go to The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website at http://www.immi.gov.au/

If you are currently living in Australia you can telephone DIAC direct on 131 881.

You will also find useful information about studying in Australia at the following website: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/sia/splash.htm

Student mentor & leadership programs (Rockhampton Only)

The Student Mentor & Leadership Program assists new students to quickly feel at home at CQUniversity and to provide support during their first year of tertiary studies. Student Mentors are students who have 'been there' and survived, as well as having acquired a great deal of information about the tertiary education environment and how the 'system' works.

For more information about Student mentor & leadership programs - Find Out More

Mathematics Learning Centre (Rockhampton Only)

The role of the Mathematics Learning Centre is to assist students who experience difficulty with the mathematics component of their study program. Assistance provided by Centre staff includes diagnostic testing, counseling on mathematics learning and preparation, and individual and small group learning support sessions in a range of courses.

If you wish to find out more about how the Mathematics Learning Centre can assist you - Find Out More

Counselling Services (Rockhampton Only)

The Student Support Centre aims to help international students develop successful strategies for coping with the challenges of living and studying in an unfamiliar culture and to make the experience of being an international student at CQUniversity rewarding and enjoyable.

CQUniversity's professional counsellors provide an integrated service to international students and their families, which include free and confidential counselling, welfare advice, information and assistance with accessing other support services and resources on campus and in the community

If you wish to find out more about how the Counselling Service can assist you - Find Out More

CQUniversity CRICOS Provider Codes: QLD - 00219C; NSW - 01315F; VIC - 01624D