RUSU Compass and the RUSU Student Rights Team have compiled a list of resources to help you out if you are struggling through the Covid-19 pandemic. 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
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 is a website that allows you to easily search for the support you need.
Visit the Ask Izzy Website now: Ask Izzy Website.
| Name of Service or Resource | Location | Description | Get In Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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' form and indicate that you are requesting some food assistance. |
| St Peter’s Eastern Hill | Melbourne CBD | St Peter's Eastern Hill offers freshly made frozen meals for collection, and is located at the corner of Albert and Gisborne Streets in East Melbourne (just next door to Parliament gardens). Meals can be collected from St Peter’s between 9:30am and 11am, Monday to Friday. There is no need to contact them before you go in. | Email: alae.taulealo@rmit.edu.au |
| Foodbank Victoria International Student Pop-up Store | Melbourne CBD | International Students can visit the Foodbank Victoria International Student Pop-up Store, at 230 La Trobe Street, open 10am – 2pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (excluding public holidays). Bring your Student ID and a shopping bag to enjoy free access to a fresh and culturally diverse range of food and pantry items. | Foodbank Victoria Website |
| Sikh Volunteers Australia | South East Melbourne: See 'Areas Serviced' for locations. | Sikh Volunteers Australia are providing free, freshly cooked vegetarian food delivered to your door on SUNDAYS ONLY. Areas serviced: Cranbourne, Frankston, Seaford, Carrum Downs, Clyde, Skye, Tooradin, Hampton Park, Lyndhurst, Lynbrook, Junction Village, Devon Meadows, Narre Warren, Hallam, Berwick. | Sikh Volunteers Website Text or Phone: 0452 601 734 or 0452 401 734 |
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. | 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 Calm Zone 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 |
| PhD Parents Facebook Group | Facebook Group | A place to network and meet other PhD students who are also parents. All PhD parents are welcome to join the group. | PhD Parents Facebook Page |
| 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 10am-4pm 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 |
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 Mates (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. Mates is changing their name to Kirrip in 2022. | RMIT Mates/Kirrip Website RMIT Mates Facebook Page |
| RMIT Together | Facebook Group | The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, study and work. Now, more than ever, we need to look after our mental health and stay connected. To do this we’ve created a new space to bring #RMITtogether. | RMIT Together Facebook Page |
| 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 |
Navigate the uncertain times in the workforce with these helpful resources.
| Name of Service or Resource | Location | Description | Get In Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Coact | Website | Despite COVID-19 leaving hundreds of thousands of Australians without stable work, there is hope for the unemployed as thousands of new jobs have been created as a result of new government policies and rising demands from workers and customers stuck at home. Here we’ve compiled a list of industries that are hiring right now. | Coact Website |
| 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 |
| 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 |
