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International students collaborating in a contemporary Melbourne campus study lounge

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AHEAD Student Information Hub & Gateway

Your essential guide to life, study and support at AHEAD’s Melbourne and Adelaide campuses.

Your campus

Student life, made clearer

Your AHEAD guide

16 of 16 topics

Welcome & Start

Orientation program

Your introduction to AHEAD, your campus and your community. Orientation supports academic expectations, cultural adjustment and a confident start to higher education.

Meet your faculty

Connect with academic staff, student services and the people who will support your learning.

Plan your course

Consult your Course Coordinator about enrolment, study expectations and your timetable.

Get connected

Set up access to your learning systems, timetable and e-library resources.

Collect your student ID

Confirm collection arrangements and become familiar with campus facilities.

Find your community

Meet fellow students and learn about peer mentoring and social activities.

Welcome & Start

Transition to higher education

Australian tertiary study combines independent learning, participation and critical thinking. Build a routine that balances study, living expenses and your wellbeing.

Time management

Add classes, assessments and work commitments to a weekly schedule. Break large assignments into small milestones and allow time for reading and revision.

Support networks

Join orientation and study groups, stay connected with family and build friendships across cultures. Ask student services about peer connections.

Budgeting

Plan for rent, transport, groceries, utilities, health cover and study materials. Keep a reserve for unexpected costs and review spending regularly.

Physical & emotional wellbeing

Make time for sleep, movement, meals and rest. Seek support early if stress, loneliness or a health concern affects your studies.

Tutors & study advisors

Attend classes, ask questions and arrange academic support before an assessment becomes difficult. Use feedback to guide your next piece of work.

Participate in Orientation

Meet staff and classmates, tour your campus and learn the systems you will use every day.

Extracurricular Engagement

Join clubs, culinary events and student committees to build friendships and networks.

Proactive Time Management

Plan each trimester around assessment dates, shifts and placements using a weekly calendar.

Utilizing Academic Advisors & Tutoring

Book regular check-ins with advisors and attend tutoring sessions for tricky units.

Physical & Mental Well-being

Sleep, eat well and reach out to student wellbeing services whenever you need support.

Staying Connected with Family Networks

Schedule regular calls home — especially valuable for international students settling in.

Independent Living & Budgeting

Track rent, groceries and transport, and learn your rights as a tenant in Australia.

Embracing Self-Directed Learning

Higher education rewards curiosity. Read beyond the unit guide and practise between classes.

Seeking Academic Support Early

Ask for help at the first sign of difficulty — support works best before deadlines loom.

Welcome & Start

Recognition of prior learning & credit transfer

Previous learning may count towards your course where it meets approved academic requirements. Credit is assessed individually; it is not automatic.

Eligibility

Prior formal tertiary study, approved pathway agreements and unit-for-unit equivalence may support an application.

Before your first term

Submit your application before the first term starts. Include certified academic transcripts and relevant unit outlines.

Assessment

Allow 2 weeks for assessment by the Course Coordinator / Academic Dean. Contact AHEAD for the outcome and any implications for your study plan or visa duration.

Welcome & Start

Student ID cards

Your student ID supports exam identification, library and campus access, and attendance verification.

Photo & identity

Provide proof of identity and a clear passport-style JPEG photograph, no larger than 1024 × 1024 pixels and 256 KB.

Processing & collection

Allow 10 business days for processing. Collect your card in person at Level 5, 601 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Lost cards & completion

Report a lost or damaged card promptly to info@ahead.edu.au and request replacement instructions, including any applicable fee. Return your card on completion as directed by student services.

Your photo stays on your device. This check does not submit an ID application.

Campus Living

Living in Melbourne & settlement

Settle into Melbourne with a plan for arrival, accommodation, banking and everyday expenses.

Airport arrival & border control

Request information about an airport pickup during admission and confirm arrangements before travel. Declare goods as required. The general-goods duty-free concession is $900 for adults; different limits and conditions apply to alcohol, tobacco, children and family pooling.

Campus Living

Overseas Student Health Cover

Most international students and accompanying dependants must maintain appropriate OSHC for their required visa period, including before and after teaching dates where applicable.

Allianz Care · Official AHEAD partner

Explore overseas student health cover, policy inclusions and claims support with Allianz Care. Confirm that your policy covers your full required stay.

Campus Living

Wellbeing, health & emergency support

You belong at AHEAD. Seek support early for health, financial, personal or safety concerns. If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 000.

Self-care

For mild, short-lived symptoms, rest and monitor your health. Seek professional advice if symptoms persist, worsen or concern you.

Pharmacy

Ask a pharmacist about minor symptoms, medicines and when further medical care is needed.

GP or dentist

Arrange professional assessment for ongoing illness, mental health concerns, prescriptions or dental problems. Check your insurance coverage and appointment costs.

Emergency department / 000

Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency, serious injury or immediate danger. Do not delay urgent care while checking insurance.

Safety & inclusion

AHEAD has zero tolerance for sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH). Contact student support for assistance, reporting options and referral pathways. In an emergency, call 000.

Someone to talk to

Campus Living

Library & computing

Access the IHEA Library Network and digital study resources through your institutional login. Ask student services about Informit, Gale / Cengage, SAGE, Oxford University Press and JSTOR access.

Getting online

Check your account access at orientation. Use secure passwords, keep software updated and back up your assessment files.

Australian electrical safety

Use compliant Australian power plugs and chargers bearing the Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM). A travel adaptor alone does not establish electrical compliance.

Practical laptop purchasing guide
SpecificationWindowsmacOS
MinimumRecommendedMinimumRecommended
Operating systemWindows 11Windows 11 (current updates)Supported macOSCurrent supported macOS
ProcessorIntel Core i5 / Ryzen 5Intel Core i7 / Ryzen 7Apple M1Apple M2 or newer
RAM8 GB16 GB8 GB16 GB
SSD storage256 GB512 GB256 GB512 GB
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6 or newerWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6 or newer
Battery life6 hours8+ hours6 hours8+ hours
Academics

Academic & English language support

Develop the academic literacy, English language and numeracy skills that help you participate confidently in higher education.

Learning support officers

Arrange support with planning assessments, understanding feedback and building independent study skills.

Workshops & coaching

Ask about academic literacy workshops, essay and report writing coaching, referencing and numeracy support.

Structured support

Academic Support Programs offer targeted guidance for students who need additional assistance. Book an appointment at info@ahead.edu.au.

Academics

English Language Support

Even after meeting admission requirements, Australian English can sometimes be challenging. AHEAD students can ask about English language support programs and services.

Explore support options

Contact Student Services to discuss the English language support options available and how they can help you work towards your study goals.

Get in touch

Email info@ahead.edu.au or call 1300 005 505 to arrange English language support.

Academics

Academic integrity & freedom

AHEAD supports academic freedom, respectful discussion and ethical scholarship. Submit work that honestly represents your learning and acknowledge the sources you use.

Plagiarism

Presenting another person’s words, ideas or work as your own without appropriate acknowledgement.

Cheating & contract cheating

Using unauthorised assistance, materials or another person to complete work submitted as your own.

Unapproved collusion

Collaborating on individual assessment beyond what the task permits. Ask your educator what collaboration and tool use are allowed.

Learn before you submit

Attend orientation integrity sessions and seek advice on citations, paraphrasing and assessment requirements.

Academics

Academic progression & risk intervention

AHEAD monitors early assessment in weeks 1–4 and learning-system activity to identify students who may benefit from timely support.

At-risk indicators

Failing at least 50% of enrolled units, or failing the same unit twice, triggers an at-risk review and support intervention.

Support before escalation

Counselling and a support contract establish a plan for improvement. Attend agreed appointments and discuss barriers to your progress.

Formal process & appeal

The supplied institutional pathway includes a 20-day Show Cause letter and appeals before any applicable international-student reporting. The National Code separately provides 20 working days to access an internal appeal after notice of intention to report; consult the official policy for the applicable deadline.

Compliance & Rights

Visa conditions & CRICOS compliance

Understand your individual Subclass 500 visa conditions and maintain your enrolment, health cover and satisfactory course progress.

Maintain enrolment

Stay enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course and follow approved study arrangements. Discuss proposed changes with AHEAD before acting.

7-day address notification

Notify AHEAD of your residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia, and within 7 days of any address change.

Work rights & pay

International students have Australian workplace protections. From 1 July 2026, the adult National Minimum Wage for award- and agreement-free employees is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week), before tax. A 25% casual loading gives $33.05 per hour for casual employees entitled to that rate. The older $23.23 figure is historical. Your award, agreement, age and classification may set different rates; check current Fair Work guidance.

Compliance & Rights

Tuition fees, payments & protection

Review your written agreement and current fee schedule for tuition, non-tuition charges, payment dates and refund conditions. No fee amounts are assumed in this guide.

Payment methods

Approved payment methods are BPAY and credit cards. Obtain payment instructions directly from AHEAD and confirm account details before transferring funds.

Tuition Protection Service

TPS helps eligible students when a provider cannot deliver a course. Overseas students and eligible domestic students have different protections; domestic coverage depends on factors such as HELP or VET Student Loans eligibility. Do not assume every domestic enrolment is covered.

Finance enquiries

Request the current fee schedule, payment assistance or clarification about charges from info@ahead.edu.au.

Compliance & Rights

Student obligations & grievances

A respectful learning environment is a shared responsibility. Raise concerns without fear of unfair treatment and use the appropriate review pathway.

Student responsibilities

Participate in learning, act with integrity, respect others, meet payment and visa obligations, keep contact details current and comply with institutional policies.

AHEAD commitments

Provide a safe and inclusive learning environment, fair assessment, accessible support, clear information and a fair process for complaints and appeals.

Compliance & Rights

Graduation & academic dress

Celebrate your achievement after completing your course requirements and confirming your eligibility with AHEAD.

Eligibility & ceremony

AHEAD will advise eligible students about graduation arrangements, ceremony dates, registration and academic dress. Confirm details before making travel plans.

Your award documents

Your testamur and record of results are issued according to institutional requirements. Confirm your legal name and delivery arrangements with student services.

Replacement testamur

Contact info@ahead.edu.au for the replacement process, identity verification and any applicable charges. Use the same address for ceremony queries.

We’re here for you

Talk to AHEAD student services

Questions about your studies, settling in or finding support?

info@ahead.edu.au