RUSU Community Resources
RUSU Compass and the RUSU Student Rights Team have compiled a list of resources to help you out if you are struggling right now. Many of the resources listed below are accessible via telephone, web or email.
The following resources are divided into four main sections: Free Food Resources, Wellbeing Help, and RMIT Support Services. Click on the images below to jump to the list that meets your needs. Remember that our Compass and Student Rights services are still available to advise you. You can contact Compass at: compass@rmit.edu.au and you can contact RUSU Student Rights at: student.rights@rmit.edu.au
Free Food
Wellbeing Help
RMIT Support
Employment, Finance, Legal & Housing
FREE FOOD RESOURCES
You do not have to go hungry. There are plenty of resources available to you throughout the community that give you access to free food. You may also have community gardens and other food initiatives within your local area that you can access free of charge.
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy is a website that allows you to easily search for the support you need.
- Step 1. Simply choose the kind of support you are looking for (e.g., food).
- Step 2. Enter your post code.
- Step 3. Find a service for you from the list provided.
Visit the Ask Izzy Website now: Ask Izzy Website.
Extra Food Relief Specifically For Students
| Name of Service or Resource | Location | Description | Get In Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheaper Buy Miles | Footscray, Flemington and Brunswick (close to the RMIT Brunswick campus) | This store is aiming to fight food waste. Buy pantry food cheaply as it is close to or after best before date - but still great! | Website |
| Khalsa Aid | Melbourne Wide | Free food parcels for international students, specifically Indian Groceries for International students. | Khalsa Facebook Page Text or WhatsApp (Do not phone): 0456 545 460 |
| Second Bite | Melbourne Wide | Saving food waste, and providing free food to uni students, individuals and families in need. | Find a service near you. Phone: 1800 263 283 |
| Shree Swaminarayan Temple | Melbourne Wide | Shree Swaminarayan Temple is providing both cooked meals and groceries (food kits) to students across Melbourne. Please fill in the form on their website, and you will be contacted regarding your needs and available pick up points near you. | Use the Contact Us and indicate that you are requesting some food assistance. |
| St Peter’s Eastern Hill | Melbourne CBD | Please visit the website for information about the free food available. | www.spehcf.com.au/lazarus-centre |
| Sikh Volunteers Australia | South East Melbourne: See 'Areas Serviced' for locations. | Meal delivery is still running but now on Thursday and Sunday, but also to more limited suburbs (Casey Council, Cardinia Council, Dandenong Council, Frankston Council, Monash Council, Kingston Council, Mornington Peninsula Council. They also have a free food van operating on certain days/locations. Visit website for details. | https://sikhvolunteersaustralia.org/2022/03/25/free-food-home-delivery-for-7-council-areas |
WELLBEING HELP
Your mental health and wellbeing is so important, and right now, many of us are feeling confused, anxious and stressed. Help is available if you need it.
| Name of Service or Resource | Location | Description | Get In Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Crisis Support Helplines | Statewide | These numbers are 24/7, some of them may be busy at the moment. So, if you find yourself waiting for too long on hold, hang up and try again or hang up and try a different helpline. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis please phone 000. | Lifeline: 131 114 Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 |
| RMIT After Hours Urgent Mental Health Support | All RMIT Students | RMIT operates an after-hours mental health crisis support line for RMIT students. This service is only available from 5 pm until 9 am and on weekends. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis please phone 000. | Phone: 1300 305 737 Text: 0488 884 162 Urgent Support Website |
| Partners in Wellbeing | Statewide | The Partners in Wellbeing service provides support and information for mental health and wellbeing. Their team is available 9am – 10pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm weekends. | Phone: 1300 375 330 Partners In Wellbeing Website |
| RUSU & RMIT Calm Zone Resources | Website | Choose from a range of different wellbeing activities to help support you and reduce stress. | RUSU Stress Less Website |
| Good Karma Networks | Website | With the purpose of being a safe place to ask for help from the community, and a model that removes judgement and negativity, the Good Karma Networks facilitate meaningful connections between neighbours. There are many networks across Melbourne. Find one near you. | Good Karma Networks Website |
| Queer Community Mutual Aid Network Vic | Facebook Group | Queer Community Mutual Aid Network is a support network for the Queer community. | Queer Mutual Aid Facebook Page |
| 1800 My Options | Website and Hotline | Need information on sexual health? 1800 My Options is a free, confidential and pro-choice service for information about contraception, pregnancy options and sexual health, run by Women's Health Victoria. Open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). | 1800 My Options Website Phone: 1800 696 784 NRS: 1800 555 660 Interpreter:13 14 50 Email: info@1800myoptions.org.au |
| Money Financial (local students only) | Statewide | Financial Information for local students. Money Financial support is available to help you manage the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) via Centrelink payments etc. | MoneySmart Website |
| ARCVic (Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria) | Phone and online | ARCVic offer a few different services including our Helpline for emotional support, information and referral, our Support Groups and our Cares4Me program. All of services are self-referral. Support for both local and international students, as long as the call is made from within Australia. | Phone: 1300 269 438 or 03 9830 0533 Visit Website Support Groups Information Cares4Me Information |
RMIT SUPPORT
RMIT has many services available to help RMIT students.
| Name of Service or Resource | Location | Description | Get In Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| RMIT After Hours Urgent Mental Health Support | All RMIT Students | RMIT operates an after-hours mental health crisis support line for RMIT students. This service is only available from 5 pm until 9 am and on weekends. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis please phone 000. | Phone: 1300 305 737 Text: 0488 884 162 Urgent Support Website |
| RMIT Medical Hub | Remote Consultation Service | RMIT Medical Hub is open for telehealth appointments. Book an appointment online via the website. Bulk billing for local students and Direct Billing is available for RMIT students with OSHC Insurance. | Medical Hub Website Phone: Ph: 9999 2778 Medical Hub Facebook Page |
| RMIT Financial Assistance | Remote Consultation Service | RMIT Financial Assistance offers a range of referrals and advice as well as Student Hardship Assistance Grants to both local and international students. If you are in financial crisis please book an appointment online via the RMIT Connect portal to discuss your options. | RMIT Financial Assistance Website |
| RMIT Counselling | Remote Consultation Service | Do you need to talk to a professional about your mental stress or worry? RMIT Counselling is free for all currently enrolled students. There can be a wait for an appointment, so please book one ASAP. Book online via the RMIT Connect portal. | RMIT Counselling Website |
| RMIT Study Support | Remote Consultation Service | Check out this site to read about how to apply for an extension and Special Consideration. If your study has been impacted by a compassionate or compelling situation help is at hand. | RMIT Study Support Website Email: special.consideration@rmit.edu.au |
| RUSU Compass | Remote Consultation Service | Compass is a service that supports RMIT students by offering advice, information and referrals regarding a wide range of issues that students experience during their time at university. Our Compass staff are trained social workers who can offer you support in areas such as mental health, financial stress, relationship issues, homelessness and many more. We are here help and listen. We are available Monday to Thursday, 10–4pm. | RUSU Compass Website Email: compass@rmit.edu.au |
| RUSU Student Rights | Remote Consultation Service | RUSU’s Student Rights service exists to help students understand the rules and processes that affect them at RMIT. We can assist students who might be in distress or experiencing disadvantage, with academic and other university process related issues. | RUSU Student Rights Website Email: student.rights@rmit.edu.au |
| RMIT Kirrip | RMIT Online Community | Mates is a friendly community of students who you can make friends with, share a meal, get insider student tips, and join a Melbourne Experience. | Website Facebook Page Discord (Weekly games sessions Melbourne Experiences |
| RMIT Chaplaincy | Remote Consultation Service | RMIT's Chaplains are trained multi-faith spiritual advisers representing Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Islamic faiths and Integral Spirituality traditions. We provide support to students and staff of all faiths and none. | RMIT Chaplaincy Website Email: chaplaincy@rmit.edu.au Phone: +61 3 9925 2317 |
EMPLOYMENT, FINANCE, LEGAL & HOUSING HELP
Navigate the uncertain times in the workforce with these helpful resources.
| Name of Service or Resource | Location | Description | Get In Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Houshold Bill Support | Website | Claim your $250 Power Saving Bonus. To help the increase in the cost of living, this is a one-off $250 payment for Victorian households. One Bonus bill per household, so if you are sharing you will have to spilt it between you. Centrelink users are eligible. Applications are open between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023. | Apply Online Here |
| You, Me & Money | Website | You, Me & Money is a new website that aims to promote financial well being and resilience in young people. You, Me & Money was developed by young people for young people and guided by research conducted at RMIT University. | You, Me & Money Website |
| IS Help | International Student Legal Information | IS Help is a free resource for international students living in Victoria. Life as an international student can be difficult at times. It’s OK to ask for help. IS Help offers real life information, from rental agreements to wage disputes, and directs you to the people and services that can help you best. | IS Help Website |
| RMIT Skills and Jobs Centre | Remote Consultation Service | Book a free online appointment with RMIT Skills and Job hub to discuss work opportunities or get support with resumes and cover letters. | RMIT Skills Website |
| Novoresume Guide | Website | Novoresume is an online resume builder. They have put together a useful guide to help people find jobs in Australia. | View the Guide |
| Study Melbourne | Website | Tips and advice with finding a job including financial information. | Phone: 1800 056 449 Email: info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au Study Melbourne Website |
| Department of Education, Skills and Employment | Website | Find employers hiring now. Today’s labour market has changed quickly due to COVID-19. While some industries are reducing their workforce, others are looking for more workers. This list shows some of the organisations who are currently seeking employees. | DESE Website |
| Job Jumpstart | Website | Job search troubleshooting: How can I improve my chance of getting a job? | Job Jumpstart Website |
| Job Starter | Website | Easily find a funded course in their area with a study mode suitable to their needs. This is a valuable resource for people looking to join the workforce, change careers or skill up to progress their career but can not afford to pay full fees. | Job Starter Website |
| Sidekicker | Website | Sidekicker hires casual staff for companies that are needing workers during COVID-19. | Sidekicker Website |
| Community Housing LTD | Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne and Central Gippsland region. | Housing organisation supporting people accessing affordable housing. | Visit Website |
| Eastern Homelessness Network | Eastern Metropolitan Region | Supporting people at risk or experiencing homelessness . | Website Phone: Visit website for all telephone contact information, or If you are escaping family violence, please call 1800 015 188, 24 hours, 7 days a week. |
| Eastern Community Legal centre | Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and the Yarra Ranges | Free legal advice. | Website |
JOB BOARDS
Use the links below to help you find current employment opportunities.
| Name | Category | Link |
|---|---|---|
| JobSearch | General | www.jobsearch.gov.au |
| Jobs Hub | General | www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub |
| SEEK | General | www.seek.com.au |
| Adzuna | General | www.adzuna.com.au |
| CareerOne | General | www.careerone.com.au |
| Indeed | General | au.indeed.com |
| All Jobs | General | www.alljobs.com.au |
| Job Access (for people with disability) | General | www.jobaccess.gov.au/people-with-disability/looking-advertised-jobs |
| CoAct Online platform (for people with disability) | General | www.coact.org.au |
| Aged Care Services Workforce Hub | Industry Specific | employment.agedservicesworkforce.com.au |
| Harvest Trail Jobs Board | Industry Specific | www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvest |
| Backpacker Jobs Board | Industry Specific | www.backpackerjobboard.com.au |
| Security (ASIAL) | Industry Specific | www.asial.com.au/careers/security-jobs |
| Healthcare Medical (MedHire) | Industry Specific | www.medhire.com.au |
| Sports People | Industry Specific | www.sportspeople.com.au |
| Jobs in Universities | Industry Specific | www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/en-au/listings/australia |
| Finance and Accountancy | Industry Specific | jobs.accaglobal.com/jobs/australia/ |
| Grad Connection | Graduate | www.au.gradconnection.com |
| Careers Vic | State Government | www.careers.vic.gov.au |
| Defence Jobs | Federal Goverment | www.defencejobs.gov.au |
| Australian Public Service (APS) | Federal Goverment | www.apsjobs.gov.au/s |
| Social Media | www.facebook.com/jobs | |
| Social Media | www.linkedin.com/jobs | |
| Telstra | Telecommunication | www.careers.telstra.com/explore-jobs |
| Coles | Supermarket | www.colescareers.com.au/retail-stores/in-store/right4me |
| Woolworths | Supermarket | www.wowcareers.com.au/page/Careers/Supermarkets |
| IGA | Supermarket | www.iga.com.au/careers |
