Australia Orientation Guide for Nepali Students explains what an international-student orientation should cover, how late arrivals can access it, which support contacts to record and what to verify about study rules, safety, health, work rights and complaints during the first week. Orientation is part of the provider’s support responsibility, not just a campus tour.
Information checked on 24 July 2026 against National Code Standard 6 and current Australian Government student guidance. Campus contacts and local services differ, so use the provider’s current orientation material and emergency information.
Orientation requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What to locate or confirm |
|---|---|
| Access | An age and culturally appropriate orientation program |
| Late arrival | A make-up or alternative orientation pathway |
| Study support | English, academic, tutoring and study-skills services |
| Wellbeing | Health, counselling, disability and personal support |
| Safety | Campus, emergency and critical-incident instructions |
| Compliance | Attendance, progress, complaints and visa reminders |
| Work rights | Fair Work information and workplace-help routes |
Treat orientation as an official starting point
National Code Standard 6 requires registered providers to give overseas students information on, or access to, an orientation program about living and studying in Australia. It must include safety on campus and while living in Australia.
Attend even if friends have already explained the city. Provider-specific assessment systems, support contacts and reporting procedures cannot be learned reliably from general advice.
Check that the program is accessible
The orientation must be age and culturally appropriate. It must also be available to late arrivals and students who begin at different entry points. A missed main event should not mean losing all orientation information.
Ask the international office for a recorded, online, written or make-up version when arrival is delayed. Save the material so it can be reviewed later.
Record the official student contact
Providers must designate at least one staff member as the official contact point for overseas students and ensure that person has current support-service details. Record the name, office, email, opening hours and after-hours alternatives.
Standard 6 does not require that contact officer to be available 24 hours every day, so identify the separate emergency and critical-incident channels.
Map academic and English support
Orientation should explain English-language and study-assistance programs. Support may include tutoring, study-skills centres, writing help, library training and course-specific learning services.
Note eligibility, booking method, opening time and whether an early assessment is available. Seeking support before a failed task is usually more effective than waiting for a formal warning.
Learn the learning platform and assessment system
Activate the student account, multi-factor authentication, learning platform, email, timetable and library access. Find each subject outline, assessment brief, due date, submission method and feedback location.
Check rules for extensions, special consideration, group work, referencing and use of generative AI. Course instructions control what is permitted.
Confirm attendance and course-progress rules
Standard 6 requires orientation information about attendance and course progress as appropriate. The way providers monitor these requirements depends on the sector and written policy.
Find the exact warning, intervention and appeal process. Do not assume that logging into an online system proves attendance or satisfactory progress.
Locate health and emergency services
Orientation must include emergency and health-service information. Record the provider clinic or health contact, nearby health services, OSHC access method and emergency procedure.
Understand which situation needs emergency help and which should go through a regular appointment. Keep health-cover details accessible without posting policy information publicly.
Identify counselling and wellbeing support
Providers may supply counselling and mental-health support directly or refer students to affordable external services. Homesickness, sleep disruption, financial stress and academic pressure are valid reasons to ask for help.
Check privacy information, appointment steps and urgent-support routes. A friend can help, but should not replace professional help when safety or health is affected.
Arrange disability and accessibility support
Find the disability or accessibility service early when adjustments may be needed. Ask what evidence is accepted, how long assessment takes and how an approved plan reaches teachers, exams or placement staff.
Keep medical documents in the provider’s secure system. Share only what is needed for the support process.
Understand campus and personal safety
Providers must take reasonable steps to provide a safe environment and advise students about personal security. Learn campus-security contacts, safe transport options, building access, evacuation points and incident reporting.
Orientation may also cover local risks such as water, beach, heat, smoke, road or alcohol safety. Apply the local advice to travel and housing decisions.
Learn the critical-incident process
Registered providers must maintain a critical-incident management policy. The policy covers traumatic events or threats that may seriously affect a student or the provider community.
Record how to seek assistance and report an incident that significantly affects wellbeing. Keep key contacts available when a phone has no internet connection.
Review complaints and appeals
Orientation must explain complaints and appeals. Find the policy, submission channel, response stages, support-person option and external-review information before a dispute occurs.
Use the formal process when an issue cannot be resolved informally. Keep emails, decisions, dates and supporting evidence.
Check work rights and workplace help
Standard 6 includes access to information about employment rights, conditions and resolving workplace issues, including through the Fair Work Ombudsman. Record where to check minimum entitlements and visa work conditions.
Reject unpaid trial work that is actually productive employment, payment for a job and requests to return wages. Keep rosters, payslips and records of hours.
Use housing and financial support early
Support services may include housing, tenancy and financial guidance. Ask where to check a lease, bond process, utility setup or a suspicious rental request.
If money pressure threatens study, contact the provider before missing fees or classes. Ask about available hardship information without assuming a grant or waiver is guaranteed.
Complete digital and administrative setup
Check the student record for the correct name, address, phone and emergency contact. Activate the student card, library access, transport eligibility and required local systems.
Read provider instructions for updating contact details and keep copies of submitted changes. Verify all visa conditions in VEVO rather than relying on a general orientation slide.
Build a first-week contact sheet
- International-student contact officer
- Course coordinator and subject contacts
- Academic and English support
- Campus security and critical-incident channel
- Health, counselling and accessibility services
- Complaints and appeals office
- Housing, careers and workplace-rights services
First-week workflow
- Attend orientation. Use the late-arrival option if necessary.
- Activate systems. Confirm email, timetable and learning access.
- Record contacts. Save routine and urgent support routes.
- Read policies. Check progress, attendance, integrity and appeals.
- Map services. Locate health, learning, safety and wellbeing help.
- Verify conditions. Use provider records and VEVO.
- Ask early. Resolve missing access or unclear rules promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Must providers offer international-student orientation?
They must give overseas students information on, or access to, an age and culturally appropriate orientation program.
What happens if I arrive late?
The provider must make orientation accessible to late arrivals and students starting at different entry points.
Should orientation explain work rights?
Yes. It should identify services for employment-rights information and resolving workplace issues.
Is the international-student contact available 24 hours?
Not necessarily. Standard 6 requires a designated contact but does not require that officer to operate 24/7.
Does orientation replace reading course policies?
No. Students should use it to locate and then read the current provider and course rules.
Official sources
- Department of Education: Standard 6 resources
- Department of Education: Standard 6 guide
- Study Australia: student support services
- Fair Work Ombudsman: visa holders and migrants
- Home Affairs: check visa conditions
Pre-departure and arrival support
For a visible review of orientation dates, arrival documents, accommodation checks, provider contacts and first-week actions, use MKS Education study in Australia guidance. For IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT or SAT preparation and transition support, compare current options at MKS Prep. The provider and Australian authorities remain final.