A Guide for Students from a Refugee or Asylum Seeking Background - Information on how to access and succeed in higher education in Australia
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A Guide for Students
from a Refugee or
Asylum Seeking
Background
Information on how to access and
succeed in higher education in Australia
CREATE
Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education
Acknowledgements
This Guide was produced by the team of researchers
at Deakin CREATE. The Deakin Centre for Refugee
Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (CREATE)
aims to build knowledge and understanding of how best to
support people from a refugee background to rebuild their
careers after leaving their home country through obtaining
meaningful employment and accessing vocational training
and education. The Centre works closely with refugee
support agencies, the corporate community, higher
education institutions and government bodies to develop
practical solutions which support refugee integration into
the workplace and the vocational and higher education
sectors, as well as advocate on behalf of the refugee
community to foster policy changes that support such
integration.
© Copyright 2020 The Deakin CREATE team would like to thank The
Bennelong Foundation for providing the funding to
This work may be reproduced for private study, research produce this Guide. We would like to acknowledge and
or educational purposes as permitted under the Copyright thank all the staff from higher education institutions, and
Act 1968 of the Commonwealth of Australia. Commercial support organisations who participated in this project, for
copying, sale, hiring or lending is prohibited. Apart from their sound advice and their generosity in sharing their
the permitted uses as stated above, no part of this experiences and insights with us.
work may be reproduced by any process without the
Authors written permission of Deakin University. Any permitted The authors would also like to acknowledge the Traditional
Tayebeh Ahmadi reproduction must include a copy of this copyright notice. Owners of the lands where Australian higher education
Ailsa Lamont institutions now stand.
Karen Dunwoodie Please note this Guide provides general information and
Alex Newman is not intended to and does not constitute legal advice Last but certainly not least, we offer a special thank you to
regarding access to education for those from a refugee or the many students and alumni from a refugee background
Published March 2020. who contributed to this Guide for reflecting upon and
asylum-seeking background.
sharing their higher education experiences. Without their
Contributors The law, particularly in relation to access to education generosity and insights, this Guide would not have been
We would like to thank the many people who have and the legal status of refugees in Australia and overseas, possible.
contributed to this guide including: many current is complex and subject to change based on government
students from a refugee background, the support policy and legislation. The particular circumstances must This Guide may be cited as:
agency representatives, academics and student liaison be considered in every case, and for that reason legal Ahmadi, T., Lamont, A., Dunwoodie, K., Newman, A.
personal in higher education across Australia, as well advice should be sought. (2020). Deakin CREATE – A Guide for Students from a
as our international colleagues. Your contribution Refugee or Asylum Seeking Background: Information on
acknowledges that in some way we all want to The authors disclaim any and all liability arising from how to access and succeed in higher education in Australia.
make the world a better place. reliance on the contents of this report however caused. Melbourne, Australia: Deakin University.
Table of contents
2 The purpose of this guide
Glossary of terms
Abbreviations
Useful definitions
3 Which course and which higher education institution?
5 Vocational Education and Training (VET)
VET as a pathway
Tips
For Centrelink recipients
6 Pathways for students from a refugee background to access Australian higher education
7 Applying to a higher education institution
8 English language requirements
9 Support once you’re at university, VET or TAFE
10 What if…?
12 Current case studies
Selecting the right institution and degree
Omar Al Kassab: a lesson in perseverance
13 Transition from education to employment
14 Appendix 1: List of university scholarships by state
Note: The contents of this publication, current at the date of publication set out above (March 2020), are for reference purposes only.
They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your or your institution’s
specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
1
The purpose of this guide
Education is the best way to transform the lives Glossary of terms
of young people who have sought protection Asylum Seeker Useful definitions
on Australia’s shores. A growing number of
A person who has left their country of origin, Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Higher Education (HE) institutions across the
has applied for recognition as a refugee in Students gain qualifications and skills for
country recognise the vital role they can play
another country and is awaiting a decision employment or further study. VET Courses
and have stepped up to offer scholarships and
on their application. include Certificates I – IV, Diplomas and
other support to people from a refugee and
Advanced Diploma Courses.
asylum-seeking background who want to gain
Higher Education Institutions
an education qualification in Australia. Free TAFE
A generic term to describe universities,
Some State Governments have an initiative
Accessing higher education can still be VET and TAFE institutes.
that pays tuition fees for eligible students to
challenging however, especially if you are not
study at an institute of TAFE (Technical and
familiar with the Australian education system, Humanitarian Protection Visa
Further Education). These may include non-
so this guide has been designed to meet the The onshore asylum/protection component apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathway
specific needs of students from a refugee offers protection to asylum seekers in Australia courses. Free TAFE courses give students
background (SfRB). who are found to be refugees according to the qualifications and skills for employment and are
United Nations Refugee Convention or who a pathway to further study. Please note these
It provides essential information and advice
for other reasons are under complementary may be subject to visa restrictions.
for prospective students on how to gain entry
protection.
to education; how to find the best pathways,
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
select the right course and navigate the The offshore resettlement component offers Refugees with an eligible permanent or
complexities of the application process. It also resettlement to refugees and people from temporary visa can access free English lessons
offers guidance on how to find and apply for refugee backgrounds who are overseas. under the Adult Migrant English Program.
scholarships and where to go to seek further
support and information. Refugee Note: students with Humanitarian, Permanent
Any person who because of ‘a well-founded Protection, TPV and SHEV visas can access either
The Guide defines key terminologies and covers
fear of being persecuted for reasons of 510, 610 or 910 hours of free English language
essential topics, including course selection,
nationality, membership of a particular social tuition depending on their visa subclass, as well
visa entitlements, available scholarships and
group or political opinion, is outside their as receiving access to free childcare.
government funded courses, and how to apply
as well as outlining some of the educational country of his [sic] nationality and is unable or
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
pathway options. It also provides information owing to such fear is unable or unwilling to avail
English classes which help students to improve
on the vital support services on offer at himself of the protection of that country; or
their language skills and open up pathways to
institutions, which help students to succeed who not having a nationality and being outside
further study or employment.
once they have begun their course of study. the country of his formal habitual residence as
a result of such events, is unable or owing to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit
Throughout this Guide we highlight real such fear, is unwilling to return to it’ (United You can apply for RPL or credit if you can
examples of how people from a refugee or Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, demonstrate that you already have some
asylum-seeking background have been able 1951). of the skills or knowledge in certain units of
to overcome any hurdles and go on to gain your chosen degree thanks to previous work
qualifications in their chosen field of study. TAFE experience (RPL) or study (credit). Receiving RPL
A TAFE is a government-run Technical and or credit can reduce the number of units you
Education is the best way to change lives so
Further Education institution that provides have to take, and in some cases may shorten
we hope that this CREATE student guide will
education after high school in a wide range the duration of study in your new program.
provide the necessary knowledge and support
of vocational courses.
to help and encourage anyone from a refugee Credit will only be granted if you can
or asylum-seeking background who wishes to demonstrate or provide evidence that you
VET
access higher education in Australia. have previously successfully covered the
VET stands for Vocational Education and
required content and learning outcomes of
Training. VET covers all vocational training
the unit/s for which you are seeking credit.
in Australia, both public and private.
Abbreviations
BV – Bridging Visa RESIG – Refugee Education Special Interest Group
CREATE – Centre for Refugee Employment, SfRB – Student from a Refugee Background
Advocacy, Training and Education SHEV – Safe Heaven Enterprise Visa
RCOA – Refugee Council of Australia TPV – Temporary Protection Visa
2
Which course and which
higher education institution?
Choosing the right course to • Universities Australia: universitiesaustralia. Other important factors to consider include the
edu.au/our-universities/university-profiles duration of study and when the program starts;
study can be difficult but there most higher education programs start once a
• Attending Open Days – all higher education
are resources available and institutions run events where they open year in February but some have mid-year entry
people to talk to who can help the doors of their campuses to the public. or even multiple start dates. Other issues to
These can be a great way to find out more think about include the physical location and
you make that choice. how easy it will be for you to reach the campus
information as well as a chance to talk to
lecturers, teachers and current students where your preferred program is offered, and
It is important to think carefully about what about what it is like to study there. You can what scholarships or other financial support are
existing skills and knowledge you have that you find information about university, TAFE and on offer.
might be able to build on and the long-term college open days all across Australia at
It is important to consider the academic
aspirations you have for your career, so you can openday.com.au
entry requirements for your preferred course
choose a course that matches your skill level • As well as information days, you can contact and how much credit the higher education
and employment goals. There may also staff directly at the institution you are institution might be prepared to offer for any
be more than one possible study route that interested in to talk through your options. previous study you have undertaken. If English
would lead to your desired career destination, Many institutions also have information is not your native language and you have
so it is important to research what options are centres where you can drop in or make an not come through the Australian high school
open to you and to keep an open mind. appointment to talk to course advisors even system you may also have to meet English
if you are not yet a student there. language requirements and these vary between
Below are a number of online and face-to-face
resources that you can use to help select the • If you are a current student, you can talk to institutions and courses.
right course of study for you at TAFEs, colleges your teachers, lecturers or career counsellors
about the different courses and various • As mentioned above, one of the best ways
and universities across Australia:
options that might be available to you there to find the information you need is to go to
• Find out about employment opportunities or at other institutions. the open days offered at almost all higher
and what qualifications and experience are education institutions. They are free to
For instance, check the course descriptions
needed for different occupations at the attend.
to see if there are any differences in
MyFuture website: myfuture.edu.au specialisations offered within the degree or • Many higher education institutions’ websites
• Use the ComparED online tool compared. diploma (as an example, a Bachelor of Business and social media pages allow you to read
edu.au to explore and compare higher at one university might include a specialisation reviews by current students or past students
education institutions and study areas. The in digital marketing while a different business (alumni) which is a great way to get other
results are based on surveys of more than degree might offer a major in logistics students’ perspectives on what it is really like
2 million students and measure graduate management). to study there.
employment outcomes and student and • The centralised application authority in each
employer satisfaction. When thinking about your long-term career state and territory has an online course and
goals, it can be very valuable to choose a university search facility, for example, VTAC
• All institutions provide lists of their courses
course which includes an internship or other for courses in Victoria or UAC in NSW.
online (go to the institution’s website
form of professional, practical experience as an
and search for ‘find a course’) and most
integrated part of the program as these can give
of these offer detailed information about
you a real advantage once you graduate and
what subjects are contained in each course
are looking for work. Many courses and degrees
and which careers they typically lead into.
offer some form of Work Integrated Learning
Another useful resource with information
(WIL) but you often have to plan ahead to make
about universities and VET providers across
sure you can fit it into your schedule and meet
Australia is the Good Universities Guide:
the application deadlines, so start planning as
gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/course-
early as possible in your studies.
provider
• My Skills website is the national directory
of vocational education and training (VET)
organisations and courses: myskills.gov.au
• TAFE Directory Australia: tda.edu.au ‘’In the end I had offers from
several universities. One
university put fewer conditions
on the scholarship and offered
me more credit than the others
so I chose that one.”
Bachelor degree student, Victoria
3
Higher education options
VTAC (Victoria)
Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are offered by
government-run colleges known as ‘TAFEs’ and by private colleges. VET delta.vtac.edu.au/CourseSearch/searchguide.htm
courses are very practical and highly prized by many employers as they
UAC (NSW and the ACT)
focus on developing skills and technical knowledge which can be used
in the workplace and often include a placement in partnership with the uac.edu.au/future-applicants/search-for-courses
relevant industry.
QTAC (Queensland)
Unlike studying at school or university, VET programs are competency- qtac.edu.au/courses-institutions
based which means they are geared towards attaining skills to meet
industry-defined standards. VET courses are often self-paced and SATAC (South Australia and the Northern Territory)
flexible. This fact sheet from the Australian Government provides satac.edu.au/undergraduate-course-search
more background on competency-based training: myskills.gov.au/
media/1776/back-to-basics-competency-based-training.pdf TISC (Western Australia)
tisc.edu.au/static/home.tisc
If you are applying straight from high school in Australia you can apply
for VET courses using the same system used for applying to university
in your state or territory, such as VTAC in Victoria or UAC in NSW.
‘’You are special. You have not
been forgotten. We are here and
working on your behalf to help
you, so grasp this opportunity.”
Alfred Mupenzi, Inclusion & Diversity Team,
Western Sydney University
4
Vocational Education
and Training (VET)
VET as a pathway “We understand that every
Students often enrol in VET courses as an end Many universities accept a Certificate IV (four) student is an individual and that
in themselves but they can also be used as a qualification as being equivalent to a Year 12
stepping-stone or ‘pathway’ to enter university. High School Certificate and therefore enough
visa statuses and processes are
This can be particularly important if you wish to enter a Bachelor degree. In some cases, complex and prone to change
to study at university but have not finished universities might require this Certificate to so we work with every student
12 years of schooling or were not able to be in a related field of study, for example,
study or get a pass in a subject required for a you might need to have a Certificate IV in
to find the best pathway for
particular degree (known as a ‘prerequisite’). Information Technology in order to enter everyone.”
a Bachelor of Information Technology.
Kylie Reid, Vocational Pathways Officer,
Chisholm Institute
How a TAFE pathway worked
for me Tips
I have always wanted to be a nurse as I want Additionally, I hadn’t connected with the • Knowing your residency or visa
to help other people. I was 25 years old when support services, because I didn’t think I’d need status and whether or not you are
I arrived in Australia after spending 8 years in to, since I’d been studying for a while by then. registered with Centrelink will help
refugee camps. I only thought about study at However, I realised that university can be a very determine which courses, fees and/or
university as my family wanted me to do that, lonely place and it was hard to reach out for scholarships you are eligible for.
but found I couldn’t go straight to university help because I didn’t know who to turn to. • Look for details on your Visa Grant
as I hadn’t finished 12 years of high school. By the end of the first semester I felt more Letter and/or do a VEVO check.
The careers advisor told me about two options settled, but there was a lot of stress up A VEVO check will also need to be
for entry into nursing at university: I could do until then. done or provided at the time of your
Year 12 in school or TAFE, or I could study the enrolment.
Diploma of Nursing at TAFE. Having a TAFE/VET Diploma or an Advanced
• If you have a case worker, settlement
Diploma qualification might give you some
worker or lawyer, ask them to confirm
I chose to study nursing as I wanted to start my credit into a university Bachelor degree which
your visa or residency status.
nursing study as soon as possible, and because would mean having to take fewer subjects or
this pathway would give me some credit to units to complete your university degree. Some • Helpful hint: Green Medicare card
continue nursing study in university. I took a TAFEs and Registered Training Organisations = permanent residency and blue
while to get used to studying in TAFE. I had (RTOs) have specific articulation arrangements Medicare card = temporary residency.
studied English at TAFE, but it was very different with universities so you can see in advance
being in a mainstream course with Australian exactly how much credit you will be eligible
students and with a lot of new vocabulary. for, while other universities will accept a
The education advisor for refugee students VET qualification from any provider.
made sure I knew about all the support services For Centrelink recipients
at TAFE and helped me settle into the study. For more information about VET see: • If you are registered with Centrelink
She showed me how to structure my study asqa.gov.au/about/australias-vet-sector and have a Health Care Card, you
time, plan my assessment tasks, and oriented should only be required to pay the
me in using the online systems. It wasn’t always For a list of TAFEs in each state see below: lower concession fee rate.
easy, but I finished my diploma 18 months later
gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/universities- • You can ask to talk to a Multicultural
and then applied for university.
tafes-colleges/tafes-in-australia Service Officer at Centrelink to make
I received help from the advisor from TAFE to sure you understand and are accessing
apply for university and apply for scholarships, For more information about VET courses and the right support and services.
which would have been very difficult for me to qualifications see below:
do alone. She informed me about the support studiesinaustralia.com/studying-in-australia/
services at the university and sent an email to what-to-study-in-australia/types-of-
their support person to introduce me. It was so education/vocational-education
hard starting at university. It was very different
to TAFE, so much bigger, and harder to find
everything. Having received credit for all
my first year subjects, I also missed the
orientation offered to all first year students.
5Pathways for students from
a refugee background to access
Australian higher education
Start
Current Yr 12 applies for Institution assesses course Applicant receives a course
undergraduate degree via the application for eligibility and outcome.
relevant state’s higher education government funding.
admission centre. See Appendix 1.
Non Yr 12 applies direct to the
higher education admission centre.
Have you applied for a scholarship? Yes Applicant is made a course offer.
Applicant may also apply for a
scholarship using the individual
institution’s online application Yes No No
process. This should be done
around the same time as applying
for the course. Reapply for mid-year or next
year’s intake and/or consider an
alternative pathway such as TAFE.
Institution assesses scholarship
application for eligibility, but only if
they have granted you a course offer
(see pink text boxes above).
Applicant receives a scholarship
outcome.
Applicant is made a scholarship Does the applicant hold a permanent
No
offer. protection visa, humanitarian visa or No
have citizenship?
Yes
Yes
Applicant may choose to pay the
international student fee and
enrol, re-apply for a scholarship
Applicant enrols in course at a later date, or consider an
Applicant enrols in course and and applies for a HELP loan alternative pathway such as
accepts scholarship. (if applicable). a TAFE diploma.
6Applying to a higher
education institution
The admission and scholarship application Scholarships ‘’I didn’t get into University the
process for SfRB varies considerably across Here are links to useful information about
higher education institutions. It will also depend
first time I applied. I had three
scholarships for people from a refugee
on your visa status. Those on temporary visas background: rejections. But I was persistent.
are typically classified as international students I strengthened my personal
and those on humanitarian or protection visas
are classified as domestic students. Deakin CREATE: statement to show how I was
deakincreate.org.au resilient and what a difference
Important note: Refugee Education Special Interest
study would make to my life.
Please check the exact application Group (RESIG) Although the next year my
deadlines online as they vary for each refugee-education.org circumstances hadn’t changed,
higher education institution, for both
admission and scholarships. You will also Refugee Council of Australia
I got accepted to the course I
need to check individual institutions’ refugeecouncil.org.au/scholarships- wanted and I got a scholarship.”
websites on a regular basis for updates people-seeking-asylum-refugees
and changes. Undergraduate student, Melbourne
For a list of scholarships provided by
How can we help? different higher education institutions in
We will do our best to keep abreast of each state see Appendix 1.
current changes in policy and will keep
you updated with our online version We recommend that you also check with
of this guide: deakincreate.org.au/ individual higher education institutions
resources as the process and scholarship details
Alternatively, please check the Federal differ from institution to institution and
government’s study assist webpage: can change over time.
studyassist.gov.au/help-loans/non-
In addition to fee waiver scholarships,
australian-citizens
some universities also offer additional
funds to students from a refugee
background to assist with study and
living costs. These generally range
between $500–$7,000 per annum
depending on the university.
A number of universities also provide
financial support in the form of vouchers,
grants and emergency loans and advice.
7English language
requirements
If English is not your native language but Please keep in mind that the minimum
you have completed high school or a higher score required in these tests depends on the
education qualification such as a Diploma in institution and course you wish to enter. As
Australia then you should meet the English a general guide however, most TAFE courses
language requirements for entry to a wide require an overall IELTS score of 5.5 with no
range of courses of study. If not, then you less than 5.0 in each band (reading, writing,
may need to provide evidence of your English speaking and listening) and most universities
proficiency. This is usually done by sitting one of require an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum
the tests mentioned below: score of 6.0 in each band. Some programs such
as education, psychology and many of the allied
• IELTS academic (International English health and medical professions have a higher
Language Testing System) English language requirement.
• TOEFL IBT (Test of English as a Foreign
Language: internet-based) Another possible option is to study a pathway
or foundation program. These are programs
• PTE academic (Pearson Test of English)
designed to offer an alternative route to
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced (formerly university by offering an intensive academic
CAE) and Cambridge English C2 Proficiency preparatory program plus English language
(formerly CPE). tuition if needed. The entry requirements
to these programs are often lower than for
standard undergraduate (Bachelor degree)
entry while offering a provisional place in a
university program on the condition that you
successfully complete the pathway course.
Please see the link below for further details:
studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/australian-
education/education-pathways
8Support once you’re at
university, VET or TAFE
Student support services are Higher education institutions also provide
a range of health and wellbeing services to
your starting point for advice students including medical services, counselling
and information. If they can’t and support with disabilities.
assist you directly, they will Help is also at hand for academic issues through
help show you how to access the teaching and learning service which you
a wide range of other services. can often access via the library. They have
dedicated staff who can help with questions
They might be known by different names at about academic writing or grammar, exams
different institutions, for instance, Student or studies in general. They also offer a range
Central, the Student Hub or Student Connect, of events and activities, such as peer assisted
but whatever the service is called they will study sessions.
have specialist staff whose job it is to support
As well as the formal university support services
you with everything from course advice and
there are of course lots of social clubs and
enrolment to student cards, fees and financial
activities where you can make friends and
assistance, lost property, making payments,
connect with your peers.
scholarships and many other services.
‘’Remember you are not alone ‘’We expect you to work hard
– others go through similar and meet academic standards.
problems and it can be hard. It will be tough… but we
But it does get better. welcome you here and we are
here to help you succeed.”
Be active, be open, find friends
and use all the help that is John Tran, Widening Participation Unit,
Macquarie University
offered.”
Ali (a current student)
9What if…?
I have a tertiary or university I have a disability I run out of money
degree from my home country • Check out the ‘disability support’ section • Check out the ‘financial assistance’
• Contact the Overseas Qualification at your institution to find out more about or ‘welfare’ section at your institution
Unit (OQU) in your state to ask for your what support is available. and look for financial support services,
credentials to be assessed for equivalence • Contact the ‘equity and diversity’ unit at student loans and emergency grants.
to Australian qualifications. your institution to find out about what • Look for part-time job opportunities
• If you have a professional qualification, programs and support are available. available at your institution.
contact the accrediting body for your
industry to enquire about their requirements I need help with my visa Note: If you do not know where to look
for professional recognition. Examples • Seek advice from a registered (MARA) for a job at your institution, you can
include CPA Australia for finance, accounting migration agent. See the link below to always ask the staff at the Student Hub
or business fields, ACS for IT and computing, find officially registered agents. or the Careers Centre for help.
and the AMC for medicine. mara.gov.au/using-an-agent/using-a-
• Speak to a course advisor. registered-migration-agent/getting-help-
with-your-visa-application • Look for work off-campus. Ask friends
• Speak to a career counsellor.
• Check out ‘legal services’ at your institution. who have a part-time job if they know
of any employment opportunities at
I don’t get into the • Contact any of the free legal services in your their workplace. Also check out your
state, for example refugeelegal.org.au
course I applied for local area or online job search websites.
• Speak to a course advisor.
I fail a subject I need help with my resume,
• See deakincreate.org.au or studyinaustralia.
• Contact your faculty to discuss the issue
gov.au/English/Australian-Education/
with your course coordinator.
cover letter or interview skills
Education-pathways to find out about • See deakincreate.org.au
different pathways. • Check your institution’s policy.
• Ask your institution’s career advisor for
• Check out VET or TAFE for a course you • Explore your institution’s support services
any workshops or other support available.
can take as a pathway to your future to get help with any academic or personal
degree and employment. issues.
I am from the LGBTQIA+ I am sick and cannot sit an exam
• Depending on your circumstances, you may
community
be able to apply for ‘special consideration’
• Look for LGBTQIA+ student organisations or a ‘deferred exam’.
and clubs at your institution for support
and advice.
• Contact the ‘equity and diversity’ unit at Note: Make sure you submit the
your institution to find out about programs application as soon as possible after
and support available. the missed exam, you may also need
to provide a doctor’s certificate.
• Check out the ‘health and wellbeing’ unit at
your institution for counselling services and
emergency mental health contact numbers. If you have a temporary or permanent medical
• Also see the following websites: issue, make sure you contact the ‘diversity and
tinadixson.com.au/tag/queer-sisterhood- inclusion’ unit at least two weeks before the
project exam or the assignment due date.
au.reachout.com/articles/lgbtqi-support-
services
manycolouredsky.org/rainbow-to-refuge-
for-queer-asylum-seekers-and-refugees
10I don’t have a place to live I have experienced family I need career advice
• You can ask refugee support services to or domestic violence • See deakincreate.org.au
help you find emergency accommodation. • Check out your institution’s website to seek • See careerseekers.org.au
• If you have a support person at your support, advice and more information on • Talk to the career advisors at your institution.
institution dedicated to looking after SfRB domestic violence.
• Talk to your tutors.
please inform them as soon as possible. • You can receive free counselling sessions at
• Attend any career workshops or events
• You can ask the ‘equity and diversity’ unit lifeline.org.au/get-help/topics/domestic-
held by your institution.
at your institution for advice and help. family-violence and ask more about the
financial and legal support available.
I want to study part-time I just need to talk to someone
I need a medical certificate • Contact the counselling service at your
• In most higher education institutions,
institution and book an appointment.
if you are enrolled in 1 or 2 units, you • Most higher education institutions have free
will be considered a part-time student. medical services where you can visit a doctor • If you are in a crisis or having suicidal
and get a medical certificate when needed. thoughts, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. They
• If you are classed as a domestic student
are open 24 hours a day and you can talk to
you can choose how many units you want • Visit your GP.
them privately and completely confidentially.
to study each semester however, you should
• See lifeline.org.au
keep in mind that each course has to be I get asked to provide beyondblue.org.au/get-support/get-
finished within a set time.
a passport immediate-support
• Check your institution’s website to add
• Use your ImmiCard. • You can call
or discontinue a subject.
headspace.org.au/eheadspace
• There is an official ‘census date’ in every
term or semester before which it is usually
I get asked for a form of ID
possible to make changes to your enrolment. • Use your driver’s licence.
It is very important to make sure you submit • Use your Immicard.
your application to study part-time before • Use your passport if you have one.
the census date to avoid any extra charges.
• Talk to the course coordinator within your I need to defer university
faculty to seek advice and help.
for a certain amount of time
• If you want to defer an offer from a
university to start later, you will need to
complete a deferral form and notify the
institution before their deadline.
Note: Keep in mind that depending on
your university and the course, you may
or may not be able to defer your offer.
• If you are already at university and need to
take leave, you may apply for ‘intermission’
or ‘study leave’.
• Make sure you talk to the institution first
about the maximum time you can take leave
for, whether it will impact your scholarship
and what supporting documents you will
need to provide.
11Current
case studies
Selecting the right institution Omar Al Kassab: a lesson I have had a few challenges during the first
year managing and navigating a new higher
and degree in perseverance education system that is quite different to the
My name is Rahmat. I am a 27 years old Hazara I come from the city of Homs in Syria where one in my home country, and perhaps a lack
male born and raised in Pakistan. I came to I completed my year 12 and 2 years of my of networks within the university at the time
Australia in 2017. I am studying Bachelor of mechanical engineering at university before as well, resulted in a couple of assignments,
Law. I have previously studied a law degree for I had to leave due to the Syrian war. educational and administrative tasks being
2 years in my own country, however due to submitted late. A year later, I progressed in
safety issues I could not complete my degree; Arriving in Australia in 2014, I was motivated my study, developed networks within the
therefore, I was keen to restart this degree in to get back on my higher education path. university, got involved in professional and
Australia. I attended English classes to develop and student level activities and inclusion initiatives
improve my language comprehension. After a and RMIT has become more like home. I have
I attended an information session at a refugee couple of months when I felt ready, I decided also helped support many new arrival students
support agency co-ordinated by the Refugee to put in my university application through the enrol back at university.
Council of Australia. Most of the universities Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre. I submitted
from this state were present. It gave me an an English translated version of my Syrian year I’ve graduated from RMIT university in 2018
opportunity to speak with the representatives 12 Certificate, a personal statement and 2 years and currently work as a strategy consultant
from each university where I gained a greater of engineering transcripts and all the required and serve as an adviser to the board of the
understanding of what course they had on information. I applied for multiple courses Bennelong Foundation where I have initiated
offer, the various locations of the university including Commerce and Business, Engineering the idea of this guide to provide solutions to
campuses, an understanding of the entrance and Pharmacology across all Victorian this problem.
requirements and what scholarships were universities, and despite my high grades, I was
on available. rejected. I was so frustrated because nobody I am hoping this guide can be an “all you
could explain to me the rationale behind the need to know” for incoming students in similar
I also got a clear understanding of the rejection, and with every conversation I had situations and where they can benefit from the
application process and who could potentially at each university I realised that the education collective experiences of those featured in this
support or assist me in completing the online system in Australia is designed to serve two guide. Access to higher education should be a
forms. To explain further, most (but not groups of students: happy and major life milestone, not a process
all) have people available to assist with the you have to navigate and obstacles that push
application process, it’s worth checking out • domestic students who finished year 12 you to the edge of giving up.
the individual websites (under the specific certificate in Australia and are eligible for
scholarship pages) and making contact with HECS Support Omar Al Kassab
the persons responsible. • international students who apply through • Bachelor of Business, RMIT
international channels.
I applied for the scholarships at different • Board Adviser, The Bennelong Foundation
universities. I received offers from 3 universities But I was in the middle, a domestic student
• Strategy Consultant, Monitor Deloitte
where I had to make a decision on which one, with an international certificate, eligible for
HECS support. Back then I would see the • Speaker, TEDx Canberra, ‘At last, free’
I wanted to accept. I considered different issues
such as the courses available for me to study, confusion on the staff faces every time they • Recipient, Global Messenger of Peace Award
the course requirements and the location of would look at my case and papers. To solve • Ambassador, Save the Children Australia
university campuses. this obstacle, I decided to have a conversation
• Instigator of this Guide
with staff members in every university to learn
about each university or program application’s
needs. The major milestone was learning from
an RMIT staff member about an organisation
called The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
Authority which provides equivalency of
international certificates to the Australian
standards. I received from them a statement
quoting that “my Syrian year 12 certificate is
equivalent to Australian year 12 certificate”.
By this time, it was almost the middle of
the year and I learnt some universities in
Australia offer a mid-year intake, so I put a
direct application to a couple of universities
and accepted an offer to study Bachelor
of Business at RMIT.
Omar Al Kassab
12Transition from education
to employment
Below are a number of organisations who offer support to
help you make the transition from education to employment
• Deakin CREATE
• University career services
• External refugee support services:
– AMES Australia – VIC, NSW
– ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) – VIC, NSW, QLD
– Brotherhood of St Laurence – VIC
– Career Seekers – VIC, NSW
– Mercy care – WA
– Refugee Talent – QLD
– SSI (Settlement Services International) – NSW, VIC.
Where to go to get further information and support
Centre for Refugee Employment, Advocacy, Training and Education (Deakin CREATE)
deakincreate.org.au
Prof Alex Newman a.newman@deakin.edu.au
Dr Karen Dunwoodie k.dunwoodie@deakin.edu.au
Refugee Council of Australia refugeecouncil.org.au
RESIG (Refugee Education Special Interest Group) refugee-education.org
Hope Co-op SfRB consulting service hopecoop.org.au
Australian Department of Home Affairs Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)
immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions
/check-conditions-online
My Skills website is the national directory of vocational education and training (VET)
organisations and courses myskills.gov.au
TAFE Directory Australia tda.edu.au
Universities Australia universitiesaustralia.edu.au/our-universities/university-profiles
For a list of scholarships available for SfRB please refer to the following websites:
refugeecouncil.org.au
refugee-education.org
deakincreate.org.au
13Appendix 1: list of university
scholarships by state
Victoria
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
La Trobe University • Undergraduate degree in College of Arts, Social Science, asrc.org.au/latrobe
College of Arts, Social and Commerce (full/part-time)
Sciences and Commerce • Full tuition fee, $3,000 annual living allowance
ASRC Scholarships
• Seeking asylum, either on BVA, BVE, TPV, or SHEV
• Must be recommended by ASRC
• Deemed by university to be experiencing disadvantage
Monash University • Undergraduate degree (full-time) monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/
Monash Asylum Seekers • Full tuition fee, $5,000 annual living allowance scholarships/find-a-scholarship/
Scholarship monash-asylum-seekers-scholarship-
• BVE, TPV, or SHEV 6099#scholarship-details
RMIT University • Undergraduate degree rmit.edu.au/students/work-study-
Improving access for people • Fee waiver for the program duration, opportunities/scholarships/browse-
seeking asylum $5,000 annual living allowance scholarships/welcome-scholarship
• TPV (v785), BVA, BVE
Deakin University • Undergraduate degree (full-time) deakin.edu.au/courses/fees-scholarships/
Deakin Sanctuary • Full tuition fee, $4,000 annual living allowance scholarships/find-a-scholarship/deakin-
Scholarship sanctuary-scholarships
• TPV, SHEV, BVA, BVE
Victoria University • TAFE studies: Advanced Diploma, Certificate III, vu.edu.au/news-events/news/tafe-
John Byrne Scholarship Certificate IV, Diploma scholarships-open-for-applications
for Refugees • $1,000 annually
• Refugee and asylum seekers arrived in the last
5 years and experiencing financial difficulty
Victoria University • Undergraduate degree (full-time) vu.edu.au/study-at-vu/fees-scholarships/
Asylum Seekers Scholarships • Full tuition fee, $5,000 annual living allowance scholarships/bachelor-degree-honours-
scholarships/asylum-seeker-scholarships
• BV, TPV, and SHEV
Swinburne University • Undergraduate degree (full-time, part time under swinburne.edu.au/study/options/
Welcome Scholarships special circumstances) scholarships/334/swinburne-welcome-
• Full tuition fee, $7,5000 annual living allowance scholarships
• BVE (V050), TPV (V785), or SHEV (V790), NOT BVA
• Community involvement, volunteering and other
leadership work
• Financial difficulty and a statement (300 words) on
how you will contribute to your community in future
Melbourne University • Undergraduate & graduate degree (full-time) scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/
Melbourne Humanitarian • TPV melbourne-humanitarian-access-
Access Scholarship scholarship
• Full tuition fee, $5,000 annual living allowance
• This scholarship is subject to the Coursework
Terms & Conditions
Holmesglen TAFE • Seeking asylum, BV, SHEV, TPV holmesglen.edu.au/Students/Fees/Help-
Holmesglen TAFE Asylum • $1,500 (fees for Diploma students), $1,000 with-fees/Scholarships/Asylum-Seeker-
Seeker Scholarship (fees and study related materials for Cert IV) Scholarship
• Family members of Holmesglen employees
or agents are not eligible to apply
• Applications shall not be a recipient of any
other scholarship or award
14 The contents of this publication at the publication date set out above (March 2020), are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be
relied upon as such. Furthermore, we advise you seek independent advice from the respective institutions as admission and scholarship conditions are subject to change.New South Wales
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
Western Sydney University • Undergraduate degree, and diploma westernsydney.edu.au/informationabout/
Asylum Seeker Scholarship • Full tuition fee, $2,000 annual living allowance scholarships_home/all_uws_scholarships/
ASYLUMSEE
• TPV, or BVE
• Born overseas, and resided in Australia for at least one year
• Not enrolled/Do not hold qualification from an Australian
university
Western Sydney University • $7,5000 – value for one year only ssi.org.au/images/stories/documents/
Other scholarships for • Undergraduate degree in education, medicine, Fundraising/Alternatives_to_SSI_
refugees nursing and midwifery, or science and health Scholarships_Jan18.pdf
• Refugee background, citizen or permanent
humanitarian visa, living in Australia for five years or less
• Financial hardship
• List of Scholarships: Allianz Refugee Scholarship – GHD
Refugee Scholarship for Women – Heather Peters
Scholarship for Refugee Students – Joan Reid Scholarship
for Refugee Women – Katie Page Scholarship for Refugee
Women – Western Sydney University Refugee Scholarship
University of Technology • Undergraduate degree (full-time) uts.edu.au/scholarship/uts-humanitarian-
Sydney • Full tuition fee, $1,000 annual living allowance scholarship
UTS Humanitarian
• TPV, or BVE
Scholarship
• Must apply in the next available intake after completion
of their study (year 12)
Macquarie University • Undergraduate degree mq.edu.au/study/why-study-here/
Macquarie University • $5,456 annually scholarships/domestic-scholarships-and-
Refugee Scholarship grants/details/macquarie-university-
• Financial hardship
refugee-scholarship
University of New England • Undergraduate degree (full-time) une.edu.au/alumni/give-to-une/
UNE Scholarship for Asylum • $30,000 pa-value of scholarship une-scholarships/une-scholarship-for-
Seekers and Refugees asylum-seekers-and-refugees/terms-and-
• SHEV, TPV, or BV
conditions
• Applicant must reside in Armidale for the duration
of scholarship
Charles Sturt University • Undergraduate degree (full-time) study.csu.edu.au/get-support/
CSU Refugee and Asylum • Full tuition fee scholarships/find-scholarship/foundation/
Seeker Scholarship any-year/csu-refugee-and-asylum-seeker-
• BVA, BVE, TPV (subclass 785), SHEV, all other new TPVs
scholarship
Charles Sturt University • Commencing/continuing students, any year, study.csu.edu.au/get-support/
CSU Foundation Refugee undergraduate/postgraduate course, full/part time, scholarships/find-scholarship/foundation/
Scholarship campus/online any-year/csu-refugee-scholarship
• $20,000
• Refugee subclass (200), Humanitarian Visa
(201, 203, 204, 866)
• 3rd year, part/full time: total value $15,000 ($5,000 yearly)
• 4th year, part/full time: total value $20,000 ($5,000 yearly)
University of Sydney • Undergraduate degree at faculties of Science, Engineering, sydney.edu.au/scholarships/a/western-
(USYD) and IT, or the University of Sydney Business School union-foundation-scholarship.html
Western Union Foundation • Australian or New Zealand citizen/permanent resident
Scholarship
• $7,000 value in total
The contents of this publication at the publication date set out above (March 2020), are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be 15
relied upon as such. Furthermore, we advise you seek independent advice from the respective institutions as admission and scholarship conditions are subject to change.Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
SSI Settlement Services • Undergraduate degree in education, medicine, ssi.org.au/scholarships
International and Allianz nursing and midwifery, or science and health
Australia • $7,500 for one year
SSI Allianz Refugee
• Refugee background, citizen or permanent humanitarian
Scholarship
visa, living in Australia for five years or less
• Financial hardship
The University of Sydney • Undergraduate degree for up to four years in fields sydney.edu.au/scholarships/e
The Humanitarian High of STEM, architecture and design, commerce /the-humanitarian-high-achiever-
Achiever Scholarship (excluding economics) or pharmacy scholarship.html
• $50,000 per year
• Completed year 12, or equivalent program in the
year before commencing study, no previous tertiary
education in Australia
• International student, holder of asylum seeker status,
have a BVA, BVE, TPV, or SHEV
Queensland
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
Griffith University • Undergraduate degree griffith.edu.au/scholarships/scholarship-
Griffith University Refugee • Total value $20,000, paid in instalments of $2,500 listings/griffith-university-refugee-
Scholarship scholarship
• Humanitarian Visa, demonstrate financial disadvantage
Queensland University • Undergraduate degree (full time) qut.edu.au/study/fees-and-scholarships/
of Technology • Full tuition fee, $3,500 living allowance for one year scholarships/qut-asylum-seeker-
QUT Asylum Seeker Tuition scholarship
• BVE (subclass 050), TPV (subclass 785), SHEV (subclass 790)
Fees Scholarship
• Demonstrate financial hardship
• Completing an Australian year 12 program in 2018
University of Sunshine • Undergraduate/postgraduate degree usc.edu.au/learn/what-will-i-pay/
Coast • Full tuition fee, $4,000 annual living allowance, scholarships/equity-scholarships/usc-
USC Asylum Seeker and $1,000 one-off upfront in Year 1 asylum-seeker-scholarship
Scholarship
• BVE (subclass 050), TPV (subclass 785), SHEV (subclass 790)
• Demonstrate financial hardship
South Australia
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
University of Adelaide • Undergraduate degree (full/part time) scholarships.adelaide.edu.au/
Adelaide Refugee • Full tuition fee, Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF) scholarship/ug/all/adelaide-refugee-and-
& Humanitarian Scholarship, and $2,500 one-off payment humanitarian-undergraduate-scholarship
Undergraduate Scholarship
• BVE, TPV (subclass 785), SHEV
• Be able to provide evidence of their financial capacity
to support themselves through study
University of Adelaide • Postgraduate Coursework, (full/part time) scholarships.adelaide.edu.au/
Adelaide Refugee & • Full tuition fee, Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF) scholarship/pgcw/all/adelaide-refugee-
Humanitarian Postgraduate Scholarship, and $2,500 one-off payment and-humanitarian-postgraduate-
Coursework Scholarship coursework-scholarship
• BVE, TPV (subclass 785), SHEV
• Be able to provide evidence of their financial capacity
to support themselves through study
16 The contents of this publication at the publication date set out above (March 2020), are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be
relied upon as such. Furthermore, we advise you seek independent advice from the respective institutions as admission and scholarship conditions are subject to change.Western Australia
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
University of Notre Dame • Undergraduate degree notredame.edu.au/programs/re-
The Vice Chancellor’s • Full tuition fee usable-snippets/scholarships/the-vice-
Humanitarian Scholarship chancellors-humanitarian-scholarship
• BVE, TPV (subclass 785), SHEV (subclass 790)
• The recipient can reside in Australia for the completion
of their course
Curtin University • Undergraduate degree TBA
Humanitarian Scholarships • BE, BVA, TPV (subclass 785), SHEV (subcase 790)
• Offshore refugee or humanitarian entrant
• Onshore community-based asylum seeker or refugee
University of Western • Undergraduate degree (full time, negotiable) scholarships.uwa.edu.au/
Australia • Full tuition fee, $3000 annual living allowance search?sc_view=1&id=5504&page=1&q
UWA Humanitarian Swans =Available+in+the+Future+Students+
• TPV (subclass 785), SHEV (subclass 790)
Scholarship F75769 Scholarship+Round+2017+(Year+12s+
• Financial hardship and academic achievement
and+Commencing+Students+only)
&s=1&old_key=.
Australian Capital Territory
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
Australian National • Undergraduate degree (full time). anu.edu.au/study/scholarships/
University • $5,000 annually for maximum three years find-a-scholarship/bachor-undergraduate-
Bachor Undergraduate science-scholarship
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
Science Scholarship
University of Canberra • Undergraduate degree TBA
University of Canberra • $2,500 for 1 year
and Canberra Institute
• Completed diploma or advanced diploma at CIT
of Technology Equity
Scholarship • Australian citizen or permanent resident,
temporary protection visa
• Not been a previous recipient of this scholarship
Australian National • Undergraduate degree anu.edu.au/students/scholarships/
University • Full tuition fee, $69,624 a stipend paid in equal anu-humanitarian-scholarship
ANU Humanitarian instalments at the start of each semester
Scholarship
• TPV, SHEV, BVA, BVE
University of Canberra • Undergraduate degree canberra.edu.au/future-students/
UC Foundation Refugee • $2,500 for the first year of degree scholarships-and-financial-support/
Scholarship attachments/pdf/foundation_refugee.pdf
• Financial difficulty
• Refugee student
University of Canberra • Undergraduate degree TBA
Rotary Club of Ginninderra • Completed year 12 from Hawker College,
– Refugee Scholarship St Francis Xavier College, or Melba Copland
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• Not be in receipt of any Centrelink benefits
Tasmania
Scholarship provider/name Eligibility criteria Website
University of Tasmania • Undergraduate degree info.scholarships.utas.edu.au/
Tasmanian Asylum Seeker • Full tuition fee, $1,000 living allowance in the first year AwardDetails.aspx?AwardId=2627
Scholarship
• Recipient must contribute $5,000 of their fee annually
• TPV, SHEV, visa equivalent to BV, seeking asylum in Tasmania
• Involvement in local community
The contents of this publication at the publication date set out above (March 2020), are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be 17
relied upon as such. Furthermore, we advise you seek independent advice from the respective institutions as admission and scholarship conditions are subject to change.You can also read
