Important Notices – July/August 2017
Free tickets to an Aussie Rules football game at the MCG
The Melbourne Football Club is hosting a Student Match Day Experience involving activities and the chance to watch the Melbourne Football Club AFL team play at Australia’s biggest sporting stadium (MCG).
When: Sunday August 13th – 9.30am check in for a 10am start
Where: Gosch’s Paddock – Corner of Punt Rd and Olympic Blvd. Public transport information.
Activity: Hands on session – 10am to 11am After that we will walk together to the MCG at approx. 11.30am to watch the game – Melbourne v’s St Kilda.
Game starts: 1.10pm
Registration link
Planning to stay in Australia after your study? Find out your migration options
Visa requirements change constantly and getting reliable, up-to- date information can be difficult. Acacia Immigration has been invited to present a free information session at the Clayton and Caulfield campus to explain the main visa options available to you on the completion of your studies. Topics include:
– General Skilled Migration – including recent trends in Skill Select EOI invitations
– Changes to Skilled Occupations Lists and State Nomination requirements
– Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visas – how to qualify and use 485 visas to improve your chances of migration
– Employer Sponsorship – the 3 main ways an employer can sponsor you.
Enrolled students from all campuses are welcome to attend. The two hour sessions include question time, so please come prepared with your queries. Register online. For more information, email iss@monash.edu
When: Wednesday 9 August (Caulfield campus), Thursday 10 August (Clayton)
International student rights at work
Make sure you understand your rights at work and where to go for help. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman website to find out what you can expect to be paid, holidays and time off entitlement and what to expect when your job ends. You can also get some legal advice about your work rights at the Study Melbourne Student Centre if you are experiencing problems at work. A lawyer is available every Thursday but you will need to make an appointment by emailing info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au or free call 1800 056 449. For more information, check the Job Watch website or connect on the International Students Work Rights Legal service facebook page.
New Increase to the National Minimum wage
The Fair Work Commission has announced a increase in the minimum wage. From the 1 July, the minimum wage is now $18.29 per hour or $22.86 per hour for casual workers. There have also been changes made to penalty rates in the hospitality, pharmacy, fast food, retail and restaurant industry. Find out more about these changes on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
English Connect
English Connect is running lots of classes in semester 2 and we are certain to have something to suit you! There is Let’s Chat, a fun interactive class focusing on conversational English and making friends. Also Peer Support, our drop-in session to assist you with grammar in your assignments. There are even workshops on public speaking, pronunciation as well as academic language and grammar for your assessments. We hope to see you in one of our programs soon!
Doctors on Demand – FREE tele health service
This phone service is available for all Allianz Global Assistance OSHC and OVHC visitors plus members. You can use it to talk to a qualified doctor without leaving home, get private medical advice, referral to a specialist or obtain a repeat prescription to get medicine. Access a Doctor on Demand by video or phone at any time of the day.
Visit: www.doctorsondemand.com.au
– Click “Redeem a Benefit”
– Enter your Allianz Global Assistance OSHC membership number
– Book a consult or request a repeat prescription
For more information visit the Allianz Global Assistance website.
Need help doing your taxes?
If you have earned money in Australia, it is highly likely that you will to lodge a tax return before 31 October. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has listed a few circumstances where you may not need to lodge one but most international students look forward to lodging it because it often means they get money back. The first $18,200 of your yearly income isn’t taxed – so if you are earning less than this per year, you can claim the tax free threshold to reduce the amount of tax that is withheld from your pay during the year. The easiest way to complete your tax return is through myTax online but if you still need help, make a free appointment with a Student volunteer who has been trained by the Australian Tax Office at the Caulfield or Clayton campus. Bookings are essential.
When: 1 July – 31 October
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Opportunities
Changing Minds
Counselling and Mental Health Programs have created an online program specifically for students called Changing Minds. This program provides strategies for self care, awareness of mental health issues and information on the support services available within Monash and the wider community. It takes about 1 hour to complete and can be done at any time. All participants will receive a certificate upon completion. Enrol now on Moodle.
City of Melbourne: Chance to win a $50 voucher
The City of Melbourne wants to hear about your experiences as an international student. Your feedback will help them find out about what they are doing well and how they can better meet your needs. At the end of the survey 40 lucky winners will get a chance to win a $50 gift voucher from a retailer of their choosing including Myer, iTunes, JB Hi-Fi, Priceline, COles, Woolworths, David Jones just to name a few! Click here to start.
Scholarships and Opportunity to do a PhD at The University of Hong Kong
Are you interested in doing postgraduate studies in Hong Kong? Come hear about scholarship and fellowship opportunities for postgraduate study at the University of Hong Kong. Register online to secure your place. For more information about this opportunity, contact Gloria.Macinante@monash.edu.
When: Friday 18 August, 11am – 12pm
Where: Graduate Education Seminar Room 2, Clayton Campus, Monash University
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What’s On
WinterFest
Come explore Winterfest across all monash campuses. Discover the secret cinema, silent disco, Winter Comedy Lounge featuring Tommy Little, evening Glow yoga, fireworks and the family friendly Winter Carnival. Details are available on the WinterFest website.
How to stay warm with food in winter
One of the easiest ways to keep warm on a cold winter’s day is to have a hearty bowl of soup! There are so many places you can buy soup in Melbourne. If soup doesn’t tickle your fancy, you might want to spoil yourself with some high tea or if you prefer something savoury, you might want to try these delicious dumpling places or take a wander down Crossley Street.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play touch football?
Join a Meetup group or social game at JJ Holland Park and have some fun in learning how to play. Most groups cater for all abilities and are suitable for beginner teams.
River Rink in Fed Square – 1 – 23 July
Winter Glow Festival – 28 June -15 August
Winter Night Market at Queen Victoria – 7 June – 30 August
Melbourne International Film Festival – 3 – 20 August
Basement Comedy Saturdays – 1 July – 23 December
Winter Pop-Up Bar – 1 June – 1 September
Craft Cubed Festival – 1 – 31 August
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Tips for International Students
Did you know you have access to the National Home Doctor Service?
If it’s late and you are not well, call 13 SICK (13 7425). The doctor will come and visit you out at your home. This service is available Monday – Friday (4pm – 8am), Saturdays from 10am onwards and all hours on Sunday and public holidays.
New Visa options for Singaporean travellers coming to Australia
From 1 January 2018 onwards, Singaporeans who are hoping to travel to Australia can now have access to long term multiple visa entry through the visitor (subclass 600) visa. This visa allows Singaporean visitors to come to Australia for up to three months over a six month period. In addition, the new Work and Holiday Maker program will accommodate 500 places a year for young people from Australia and Singapore wishing to undertake short term work or study.
Security bus service – Clayton and Caulfield campus
A security bus for Clayton and Caulfield campuses is provided between 5.30pm and midnight, Monday to Friday leaving every 30 minutes. The security bus stops and bus route can be found on the campus maps. You can view where the bus is from the live tracker for Clayton or Caulfield Campus on the Monash App under Transport Security Buses.
How can I Improve my Presentation Skills?
Some people just love performing in front of a group! But for some students, delivering an oral presentation can be anxiety-provoking. Remember why you need to do this, as your lecturers and tutors are not trying to make you feel stressed out. It’s all about helping you prepare for life outside the university and in the workforce. Check out these tips from the library on how to improve your presentations.
International Student Engagement
If you have any feedback about the newsletter or suggestions of items to be included, please email iss@monash.edu.