SuniTAFE > Services > Student Support

Student Support

SuniTAFE's Student Support Services (SSS) offers a range o support to SuniTAFE students. These are listed below, along with the supportive services delivered to students by other SuniTAFE departments. The SSS can advise students about all such services, and can refer students to sources of support outside SuniTAFE.

To contact Student Support Services, ring 5022 3778, email sss@sunitafe.edu.au or visit their offices near the entrance of either the Mildura (Benetook Ave) or Swan Hill campus. SSS can also be contacted through Student Administration at the other campuses and sites.

The 2009 Student Guidelines and Information brochure is another source of student information.

Apprentice support

Victorian registered apprentices needing an independant person to talk to about any aspect of their apprenticeship should contact their local Apprenticeship Field Officer (AFO). They are employed by Skills Victoria.
 
The Mildura, Swan Hill and Surrounding Districts AFO can be contacted on afo@sunitafe.edu.au, (03) 5022 3755 and 0419 147 743.
 
All apprentices with SuniTAFE related issues are encouraged to first talk to their teacher/s and Student Support Services.

Assignment proofreading

The Mildura LRC (library) staff will proofread student assignments on request.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Counselling

Enrolled students at SuniTAFE can access free and confidential counselling services. Student Counsellors are trained in a range of therapeutic counselling interventions and approaches and can assist students with relationships, grief & loss, anger, conflict, budgeting, finances and other personal or study related issues. Please contact Student Support Services on (03) 5022 3778 or email sss@sunitafe.edu.au for more information.

Course advice and enrolment help

For information about our courses, please see the courses section of this website, read the current Student Course Guide or contact Student Administration at your nearest campus.
 
If you are seeking additional help to work out what SuniTAFE course is best for you, contact the Youth and Equity Support staff within Student Support Services for assistance.
 
SuniTAFE also runs a number of Open Days, youth career expos and other events that provide course information and advice.
 
Student Administration at each campus will be happy to help you enrol. If you need special help, they will be able to ask an appropriate member of staff to assist you.
 
International students are advised to visit the international section of this website, read the International Student Handbook or contact the International Student Unit.

Disability support

Students with a disability, impairment or medical condition can receive special help with their studies if they require it. This can include the provision of special equipment, counselling, referalls and changes to your course.
 
Please contact Student Support Services' Disability Liaison Officer on 5022 3629 or sss@sunitafe.edu.au for more information.

Evening security assistance

At the Mildura Campus, a security guard is available to provide assistance walking from classrooms to vehicles following evening and night classes. For this assistance, please ring Marshall Security Service on 5022 7855.
 
Please also ring this number if you see or hear any untoward activity at the Mildura Campus after business hours.

Financial assistance

If an Australian student finds it difficult to undertake or continue a course for financial reasons, there are a few ways we can assist.
 
Firstly, Student Support Services staff can offer students budgeting assistance, to help them allocate their resources more effectively. However, if after this there are still problems, we have a few forms of financial assistance available.
 
If the course fees are greater than $100, students can apply to pay their tuition fee and student amenities fees in installments.
 
Students can also apply for a loan from the SuniTAFE Student Loan Fund. Such loans have a maximum value of $150, and must be paid back within three months.
 
In cases of extreme financial hardship, additional assistance may be available.
 
A scholarship is awarded to the current student with the best results, to help them continue their education.
 
Students of Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses can apply for VET FEE-HELP assistance from the federal government.
 
Bus concessionsdiscounted software and child care subsidies are available to eligible students.
 
Additional help is available through Centrelink, state government programs (like the Skills Store) and from other bodies through scholarships.
 
Please talk to Student Support Services for more information about any of these sources of help.
 
International students requiring financial help are advised to contact the International Student Unit to discuss their options.
 
Students (or their legal guardians) may also be able to claim some education related expenses on their tax return, reducing tax costs. If you wish to pursue this, please talk to an accountant.

Grievance resolution

Students who have a concern or complaint about any aspect of their study experience at SuniTAFE can contact Student Support Services for information and assistance.

International student support

The International Students Unit exists to help students from outside Australia to adapt to living and learning here.

Visit the International Student Unit page for more information.

Koorie support

Indigenous Australians of any background can request assistance from the Dulka Yappata Koorie Cultural Centre.

Visit the Dulka Yappata Cultural Centre page for more information.

Lost property

Lost items can be lodged and received from the Student Administration staff on each campus.

New business starter support

If you're about to start a new business, you can apply for assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS).
 
If successful, you can receive training, mentoring and income support.

Visit the NEIS page for more information.

New migrant support

Students who are new to the country can get help with living and learning here from the Migrant Language Unit.

Visit the Migrant Language Unit page for more information.

Result and participation statement printing

Students who have completed a short course that does not have exams or assessed work will receive a Participation Certificate in the mail shortly afterward.
 
Students who have studied assessed courses will receive a Statement of Results in the January following the study. This Statement details the results of the units studied in the previous year.
 
If students require a Statement of Results earlier than January, they should contact the Student Administration staff at their campus.
 
Exam results are made available to students as soon as possible after marking.
 
Replacement statements can be printed by Student Administration on request. A replacement Statement of Results costs $5 and a Participation Certificate costs $15.
 
For replacement exam results, please contact your teacher.

Stress and time management assistance

Students who struggle to find the time to do what their course requires can receive assistance. Students can also get help with dealing with other causes of stress, anxiety and improving their work/life/study balance.
 
To book an appointment, contact Student Support Services.

Student computer services

SuniTAFE has a large number of computers for students to use. Each student is given their own computer account, which gives them an email address, storage space for files, internet access and the ability to print documents.
 
There are computers available for general study on all campuses.
 
To gain more printing (and photocopying) credit, students at the Benetook Ave site should talk to the library staff, while students on other sites should talk to the Student Administration staff. They are also the people to see if students forget their password or have a problem with their ID card.
 
Students with a disability have access to assistive technologies to aid computer use.
 
Students can buy thumb drives, blank CDs and similar computer accessories and consumables from the Bookshop. The Bookshop also sells specially discounted software to eligible students and staff.
 
For all other computer, printing and related issues, students should talk to their teacher, who will contact SuniTAFE's IT technicians. The technicians will then be in contact with the teacher until the problem is resolved.

Study and internet skills sessions

The Learning Resource Centre runs study skills and internet skills sessions for class groups. If you are interested in attending one, please talk to your teacher.

Suggestions

Students wishing to make a suggestion about SuniTAFE's activities are encouraged to drop a written suggestion in one of our suggestion boxes. The Mildura Campus has a box in The Hub. Swan Hill Campus suggestion boxes are located in Block A and B.
 
Students wishing to make suggestions at other campuses are encouraged to lodge the suggestion with the Student Administration staff at their campus.
 
Responses to suggestions are posted on a noticeboard near the suggestion boxes.

Unemployed adult support

Unemployed students aged 18 or older can receive special help from the Student Wellbeing Officer. They be contacted through studentwellbeing@sunitafe.edu.au and (03) 5022 3639.

Unemployed sole parent support

Students who are a sole parent and are unemployed can receive special help from the Student Wellbeing Officer. They be contacted through studentwellbeing@sunitafe.edu.au and (03) 5022 3639.

Youth support

Students aged 20 and younger can receive educational and personal support from the Youth Education Consultant and Youth Support Officer respectively.

Visit the school leavers page for more information.