Services
Decision Making Process
- Assess your current education qualifications and work experience in line with education providers’ course entry requirements and guidelines
- Discover potential gaps between your current qualifications and basic qualifications required to secure a place in the intended Australian education sector (schools/VET/higher education)
- Provide advice on English Language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL) required to meet education providers’ entry criteria as well as to obtain a student visa
- Choose the most appropriate course or package of courses along with the education provider to meet your education needs.
Application Process
- Lodge an application with the chosen education provider to obtain an offer of enrolment
- Arrange payment to, and obtain confirmation of enrolment (COE) from the provider
- Arrange compulsory Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC)
Student Visa
- Collate necessary supporting documents to apply for appropriate student VISA
- Lodge a VISA application with the Australian Department of Immigration
Pre-departure Activities
A comprehensive pre-departure briefing will be given to you prior to leaving your home country. This briefing will cover all areas of your stay in Australia and will provide realistic expectations of a student’s life in Australia. You will be briefed on
- Your obligations in complying with VISA conditions
- Airport pick up and transfer arrangements in Australia
- A range of suitable accommodation options and costs associated with them
- A list of contacts you need on arrival
- Settling-in to the Australian culture and way of life
- Government and academic support services/facilities available to students upon arrival
- Other relevant topics such as what to pack and how much money (A$) to bring with you
- Australian customs and border protection information
- Arrange flights if required
In collaboration with the respective education provider, we will arrange airport pickup and transfer to the chosen place of accommodation (this may incur a transfer fee)
SURVIVAL GUIDELINES
When you are in Australia we want you to be safe and comfortable. To ensure trouble-free integration, we will arrange access to all essential products and services required to begin life in Australia. We will also take responsibility for providing ongoing support and survival guidelines for the following
- Assistance in finding suitable accommodation
- Assistance in connecting to religious and cultural networks from your country
- Assistance in connecting to student support and welfare services in Australia
- Assistance in connecting to legal, healthcare and public services
- Information regarding best mobile phone and internet deals
- Assistance in opening a bank account and obtaining a Tax File Number (TFN)
- Information on obtaining public transport passes such as Myki and OPAL cards
- Assistance in obtaining an Australian drivers licence, purchasing a vehicle and obtaining registration and insurance
- Guidelines on obtaining various professional licences and accreditations required to find/support employment
- Information on labour markets and pathways to finding casual employment & internships
- Information regarding places of interest and recreation
- Arrange pastoral care
We know that international students often face numerous obstacles when studying in Australia. In most circumstances, students learn to deal with problems and pressure successfully as time goes by. However, every year an alarming number of international students struggle to maintain required academic standards due to various reasons. If not urgently attended to, such situations could often lead to severe financial and academic penalties followed by exclusion from the degree/course and VISA cancellations.
Wide Open Education Australia will emphasise to our students the importance of maintaining required academic standards, by communicating with them at regular intervals and monitoring their progress. If necessary, we will provide them with free academic support to get back on track and maintain a proactive academic work ethic going forward. Our service will include
- Provide specific information and guidelines regarding orientation and course commencement dates
- Provide specific advice on how to choose units of study pertinent to your intended career pathway
- Provide accurate advice and support on degree planning (e.g. Major in a specific area of interest, choosing electives, enrolling in summer school, finding suitable professional/clinical placements etc.)
- Provide accurate information regarding important education policies and guidelines that govern academic standards and VISA compliance
- Provide specific advice on how to safely navigate through unfamiliar and seemingly complicated administrative systems found within higher education sectors
- Provide accurate information regarding academic support services which include learning centre support, library support, and academic advice
- Provide information regarding student welfare services such as disability support, health & wellbeing services and access to student counselling
- Discuss learning goals, learning strategies and time management during studies
- Important guidelines on how to prepare for exams and assessments, as well as how to develop superior academic writing and referencing skills
- Support and advice regarding tuition protection, change of education provider and applications for further education and training
- Provide accurate advice on recognition of prior learning (RPL) in the event of changing providers and/or courses
In circumstances if a student continues to struggle or fails to meet necessary academic standards, we will urgently consult with the education provider and/or other agencies and support services to attend to the situation in order to protect the best interest of the student.
We will provide the necessary guidelines and support to our students if and when faced with emergency or crisis situations such as
- Medical – if you are in an accident or develop a serious illness needing medical attention
- Legal – if you are a victim of a crime needing law enforcement and/or legal support
- Accommodation – if you become homeless requiring emergency accommodation
- Financial – if you are unable to pay tuition fees affecting the continuation of your enrolment
- Visa compliance – if you breach the conditions of your visa affecting the continuation of stay in Australia
- Psychological – if you are dealing with a personal or family crisis that has an impact on studies
- Academic – if you are having difficulties succeeding in your studies
In Australian education, the term ‘Pastoral Care’ means social, emotional and cultural support for students and staff in educational institutions. For international students, pastoral care often has a broader meaning and includes receiving services such as language and learning support, access to social support programs, and specialised advice and information. We Understand that foreign students coming to Australia require a higher level of care, and we will play an important role in your welfare while you are in Australia
- Assessment and assignment support
- Proof-reading and grammar correction
- Building a research project
- Formulating an effective research question
- Conducting literature reviews and research proposal
- Methodology
- Thesis writing and publication
- Building resumes and interview preparation
After graduation, you may come to us to investigate your future options. We will give you advice on:
- Master degree options
- Honours degrees
- Research degree pathway towards a PhD
- Post study visa
- Finding apprenticeships and employment