SuniTAFE > Services > Services for Students

Services for New & Current Students

Because SuniTAFE is the biggest vocational education provider in north west Victoria, it can offer students a very broad range of services, particularly those who visit it's Benetook Ave campus in Mildura.

Most support services are delivered by SuniTAFE's Student Support Services (SSS) department. To contact Student Support Services, ring 5022 3778, email sss@sunitafe.edu.au or visit their offices near the entrance of either the Mildura (Benetook Ave) or Swan Hill campus. SSS can also be contacted through Student Administration at the other campuses.

Apprentice support

Victorian registered apprentices needing an independant person to talk to about any aspect of their apprenticeship should contact their local Apprenticeship Field Officer (AFO). They are employed by Skills Victoria.
 
The Mildura, Swan Hill and Surrounding Districts AFO can be contacted on afo@sunitafe.edu.au, (03) 5022 3755 and 0419 147 743.
 
All apprentices with SuniTAFE related issues are encouraged to first talk to their teacher/s and Student Support Services.

Assignment proofreading

The Mildura LRC (library) staff will proofread student assignments on request.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

ATMs

There is an ATM located near Student Administration at the Mildura Campus. There are public ATMs a short walk from both the Robinvale and Mallee campuses.
 
All campuses have EFTPOS facilities for the payment of fees and purchasing goods and services.

Book & equipment sales

The Bookshop sells textbooks, stationery and art supplies, plus some hospitality clothing and equipment. It has EFTPOS facilities and also takes orders (which require pre-payment) and holds.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Book repair & laminating

SuniTAFE's bookshop not only sells books, it can repair them as well. It can also laminate books, posters, certificates and other items.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Breast feeding & baby changing facilities

Facilities are available to feed and change babies near the Mildura Student Administration area. At the Swan Hill, Robinvale and Mallee campuses, Student Administration staff will be able to make suitable arrangements for you.

Bus services

Local bus services serve the Benetook Ave and Lime Ave sites in Mildura, and the Swan Hill campus.
 
Please see the pages for those locations for more details.
 
Bus ticket discounts (concessions) are available for some Australian residents. This includes full time secondary and TAFE students and people with a health care card.
 
To see which TAFE courses are considered "full time" for concession purposes, please visit the Viclink website.
 
Note that a school or TAFE ID card is not sufficient discount ID for Victorian students aged 17 years or older without a health care card. They require a Victorian Public Transport Student Concession Card.
 
Please contact Viclink (Victoria), the NSW Department of Transport & Infrastructure, or your local bus company for more details.

Cafés

Training cafés operate at both the Mildura and Swan Hill campuses, serving morning or afternoon tea to students and the public.
 
In Mildura, the Chat and Chew Café is open on most Thursday afternoons during school terms. Please ring 5022 3666 or email mildura@sunitafe.edu.au for more information.
 
In Swan Hill, the Chatterbox Café is open on most Wednesday mornings during school terms. Please ring 5036 0220 or email swanhill@sunitafe.edu.au for more information.

Canteen

The canteen at the Mildura Campus is open during business hours on Monday to Friday. It sells a wide range of food and drinks.
 
On Wednesdays it sells authentic Chinese fast food produced by recently arrived Chinese cooks.
 
The Canteen also offers catering services.
 
To contact the Canteen, ring (03) 5022 6941 or email canteen@sunitafe.edu.au.

Chefs of the Future

Chefs of the Future is Mildura's premier cooking competition for apprentice chefs. Competitors battle to produce the best dishes while the public watches. The competition concludes with a celebratory party featuring food, drinks and entertainment.

Visit the Chefs of the Future page for more information.

Child Care

TAFE Kids Inc. at the Mildura Campus is a long day care provider, providing childcare for the children of students and the broader community. Childcare is available for children aged from 6 weeks to 12 years.
 
TAFE Kids is a strong supporter of multiculturalism, which is integrated into the children's daily activities and programs.

Visit the TAFE Kids page for more information.

Counselling

Enrolled students at SuniTAFE can access free and confidential counselling services. Student Counsellors are trained in a range of therapeutic counselling interventions and approaches and can assist students with relationships, grief & loss, anger, conflict, budgeting, finances and other personal or study related issues. Please contact Student Support Services on (03) 5022 3778 or email sss@sunitafe.edu.au for more information.

Course advice and enrolment help

For information about our courses, please see the courses section of this website, read the current Student Course Guide or contact Student Administration at your nearest campus.
 
If you are seeking additional help to work out what SuniTAFE course is best for you, contact the Youth and Equity Support staff within Student Support Services for assistance.
 
SuniTAFE also runs a number of Open Days, youth career expos and other events that provide course information and advice.
 
Student Administration at each campus will be happy to help you enrol. If you need special help, they will be able to ask an appropriate member of staff to assist you.
 
International students are advised to visit the international section of this website, read the International Student Handbook or contact the International Student Unit.

Courses

SuniTAFE has more courses than any other education provider in north west Victoria. Our size means we can run them more often, in more places.

Visit the Courses page for more information.

Directions

If you need to know where something is on campus, go to the Student Administration area at the front of the campus, and ask one of the people at the desk.
 
They will be happy to explain where everything is.

Disability support

Students with a disability, impairment or medical condition can receive special help with their studies if they require it. This can include the provision of special equipment, counselling, referalls and changes to your course.
 
Please contact Student Support Services' Disability Liaison Officer on 5022 3629 or sss@sunitafe.edu.au for more information.

Evening security assistance

At the Mildura Campus, a security guard is available to provide assistance walking from classrooms to vehicles following evening and night classes. For this assistance, please ring Marshall Security Service on 5022 7855.
 
Please also ring this number if you see or hear any untoward activity at the Mildura Campus after business hours.

Financial assistance

If an Australian student finds it difficult to undertake or continue a course for financial reasons, there are a few ways we can assist.
 
Firstly, Student Support Services staff can offer students budgeting assistance, to help them allocate their resources more effectively. However, if after this there are still problems, we have a few forms of financial assistance available.
 
If the course fees are greater than $100, students can apply to pay their tuition fee and student amenities fees in installments.
 
Students can also apply for a loan from the SuniTAFE Student Loan Fund. Such loans have a maximum value of $150, and must be paid back within three months.
 
In cases of extreme financial hardship, additional assistance may be available.
 
A scholarship is awarded to the current student with the best results, to help them continue their education.
 
Students of Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses can apply for VET FEE-HELP assistance from the federal government.
 
Bus concessionsdiscounted software and child care subsidies are available to eligible students.
 
Additional help is available through Centrelink, state government programs (like the Skills Store) and from other bodies through scholarships.
 
Please talk to Student Support Services for more information about any of these sources of help.
 
International students requiring financial help are advised to contact the International Student Unit to discuss their options.
 
Students (or their legal guardians) may also be able to claim some education related expenses on their tax return, reducing tax costs. If you wish to pursue this, please talk to an accountant.

First aid

Each campus has staff with current first aid certification and equipment distributed throughout each part of it so medical issues can be dealt with promptly. The Mildura campus also has a dedicated first aid officer and a room with additional facilities.
 
If you have an accident or other medical problem while in class, please tell the nearest member of staff. They will contact the appropriate people for you.
 
In an emergency, an ambulance will be called to attend. Any student who is injured on site and requires medical attention will have an ambulance called at the cost of the student. It is advised that all students have current  ambulance cover. Staff will contact relatives or friends to transport students home. Staff are not permitted to dispense drugs, including paracetamol and aspirin.

Graduation ceremonies and award evenings

When a student finishes a course, it's time to celebrate! We start things off with graduation ceremonies where all graduating classmates can celebrate their achievements together. These evenings also feature the issuing of awards to students who have excelled in certain ways.

Visit the graduation ceremonies and award evenings page for more information.

Grievance resolution

Students who have a concern or complaint about any aspect of their study experience at SuniTAFE can contact Student Support Services for information and assistance.

Grow Your Career expo

Grow Your Career is three days of secondary students learning about the career options available to them. Employers, schools and education providers come together to provide an exposition and a number of hands of activities,

Visit the Grow Your Career page for more information.

Hairdressing & beauty services

The Mildura Hair and Beauty College offers students and the broader community a range of hair and beauty services. These are performed by students, for prices less than those found in commercial establishments.
 
Please contact the College on mildura@sunitafe.edu.au or (03) 5022 3666 to find out more.

Information events

The start of every year sees Information and Enrolment Days held at all SuniTAFE campuses. These days provide information about all courses to prospective students, and help with enrolment.
 
In July, Grow Your Career helps secondary students learn what career and training options are available to them.
 
In August, Open Days are held in Mildura and Swan Hill.
 
Between September and January, the Mildura Campus hosts information sessions for all of it's subject areas. Staff from that area are available to talk to you about the courses in their department.
 
The Swan Hill, Robinvale and Mallee Campuses each have a single session to demonstrate and discuss what their campus has to offer.
 
Additional informative events are sometimes held by departments and campuses. See the events calendar for a full list of upcoming events.

International student support

The International Students Unit exists to help students from outside Australia to adapt to living and learning here.

Visit the International Student Unit page for more information.

Koorie support

Indigenous Australians of any background can request assistance from the Dulka Yappata Koorie Cultural Centre.

Visit the Dulka Yappata Cultural Centre page for more information.

Library borrowing

SuniTAFE's Gambetta Library is the biggest student library in north west Victoria. It has many books, journals, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and other resources. Most of it's items cannot be found in council or secondary school libraries in the region.
 
The library is located at the Mildura Campus. Members of the public can purchase a Community Membership and borrow many of it's items.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Locker hire

Lockers are available for students to hire at the Mildura and Swan Hill campuses. Please contact Student Support Services if you wish to do so.

Lost property

Lost items can be lodged and received from the Student Administration staff on each campus.

Mildura Sun Festival

The Mildura Sun Festival celebrates sustainability through exhibits, seminars and stalls. Businesses and community groups are encouraged to set up a site or deliver a seminar. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Visit the Mildura Sun Festival page for more information.

Murray River Culinary Challenge

The Murray River Culinary Challenge is contested by Certificate II in Hospitality students studying at schools near the Murray River. A final is held at SuniTAFE's Mildura campus.  
 

Visit the Murray River Culinary Challenge page for more information.

New business starter support

If you're about to start a new business, you can apply for assistance through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS).
 
If successful, you can receive training, mentoring and income support.

Visit the NEIS page for more information.

New migrant support

Students who are new to the country can get help with living and learning here from the Migrant Language Unit.

Visit the Migrant Language Unit page for more information.

Open Days

SuniTAFE holds Open Day expos to talk with the public about the courses will be on offer in the coming year, and generally entertain them. These are held in Mildura and Swan Hill.
 
In Mildura, each day of the week leading up to this day features activities relating to a different area of study.

Visit the Open Days page for more information.

Orientation Week

Orientation Week is a week of activities for new students, teaching them how SuniTAFE works, and how they can best make use of it's people and facilities.

Visit the Orientation Week page for more information.

Payphones & fax machines

There are public telephones at the Mildura and Swan Hill campuses, and a short walk from the Robinvale and Ouyen campuses.
 
At the Mildura Campus (Benetook Ave), there is a phone near Student Administration, and another one near the Auditorium. There is also a free taxi phone in the Student Support Services area.
 
In Swan Hill, there is a phone in Building A, and another one in Building B.
 
If you need to send or recieve a fax while at any campus, please talk to Student Administration or Library staff.

Printing & CD/DVD duplication

The Printroom offers public printing services, including stapling and booklet making. It can also produce large batches of CDs and DVDs, with full colour printing on the top if desired.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Recreation Room

The Mildura Campus has a recreation room available to students between 12 and 1 pm weekdays during term. Students can play pool and board games, listen to music, and generally enjoy themselves.
 
Please contact Student Support Services for more information.

Restaurant Delice

Restaurant Delice is a training restaurant at SuniTAFE's Mildura Campus. It is open to the public on most Tuesdays and Thursdays from March to October.  
 

Visit the Restaurant Delice page for more information.

Result and participation statement printing

Students who have completed a short course that does not have exams or assessed work will receive a Participation Certificate in the mail shortly afterward.
 
Students who have studied assessed courses will receive a Statement of Results in the January following the study. This Statement details the results of the units studied in the previous year.
 
If students require a Statement of Results earlier than January, they should contact the Student Administration staff at their campus.
 
Exam results are made available to students as soon as possible after marking.
 
Replacement statements can be printed by Student Administration on request. A replacement Statement of Results costs $5 and a Participation Certificate costs $15.
 
For replacement exam results, please contact your teacher.

Second-hand book sales

The Bookshop can sell students' text books for them. The books are displayed in the Bookshop next to where the new versions of the books are sold. This makes the option of choosing a second-hand book obvious to potential buyers.
 
The Bookshop takes a small commission for each sale - no commission is paid if there is no sale.
 
A document detailing the full conditions of this service is available from the Bookshop.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Skills recognition

The Skills Recognition Centre will help you convert your valuable formal education, work and life experience into formal nationally recognised skills.

Visit the Skills recognition page for more information.

Stress and time management assistance

Students who struggle to find the time to do what their course requires can receive assistance. Students can also get help with dealing with other causes of stress, anxiety and improving their work/life/study balance.
 
To book an appointment, contact Student Support Services.

Student computer services

SuniTAFE has a large number of computers for students to use. Each student is given their own computer account, which gives them an email address, storage space for files, internet access and the ability to print documents.
 
There are computers available for general study on all campuses.
 
To gain more printing (and photocopying) credit, students at the Benetook Ave site should talk to the library staff, while students on other sites should talk to the Student Administration staff. They are also the people to see if students forget their password or have a problem with their ID card.
 
Students with a disability have access to assistive technologies to aid computer use.
 
Students can buy thumb drives, blank CDs and similar computer accessories and consumables from the Bookshop. The Bookshop also sells specially discounted software to eligible students and staff.
 
For all other computer, printing and related issues, students should talk to their teacher, who will contact SuniTAFE's IT technicians. The technicians will then be in contact with the teacher until the problem is resolved.

Student Residences

SuniTAFE's Mildura Campus has accomodation for SuniTAFE and La Trobe University students.

Visit the Student Residences page for more information.

Study rooms

Students can book a room to study in for free. Please contact the LRC (library) for details.

Visit the Learning Resource Centre page for more information.

Suggestions

Students wishing to make a suggestion about SuniTAFE's activities are encouraged to drop a written suggestion in one of our suggestion boxes. The Mildura Campus has a box in The Hub. Swan Hill Campus suggestion boxes are located in Block A and B.
 
Students wishing to make suggestions at other campuses are encouraged to lodge the suggestion with the Student Administration staff at their campus.
 
Responses to suggestions are posted on a noticeboard near the suggestion boxes.

SuniTAFE Motel

The SuniTAFE Motel in Mildura can be made available to groups running events and needing accomodation for performers and other guests.
 
Rooms can also be booked by people visiting family and friends who live in the Student Residences. 
 
Please contact Student Administration in Mildura (mildura@sunitafe.edu.au or (03) 5022 3666) if you would like to know more.

SuniTAFE Recruitment

SuniTAFE Recruitment offers recruitment services for both employers and potential employees.

Visit the SuniTAFE Recruitment page for more information.

TAFE Kids Cookbook sales

The parents of TAFE Kids, SuniTAFE's childcare centre, have compiled a cookbook full of their favourite recipies. If you would like to cook the well tested and well enjoyed dishes found within it's pages, please contact TAFE Kids during business hours.

Visit the TAFE Kids page for more information.

Toilets

Most parts of our campuses are a short distance from toilets. The Student Administration and teaching staff are able to give details if required.

Unemployed adult support

Unemployed students aged 18 or older can receive special help from the Student Wellbeing Officer. They be contacted through studentwellbeing@sunitafe.edu.au and (03) 5022 3639.

Unemployed sole parent support

Students who are a sole parent and are unemployed can receive special help from the Student Wellbeing Officer. They be contacted through studentwellbeing@sunitafe.edu.au and (03) 5022 3639.

Volunteering opportunities

The Migrant Language Unit runs an AMEP volunteer tutoring program to help newly arrived refugees learn English. This program is run in both Mildura and Swan Hill.
 
The free training includes a unit of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
 
Please contact Student Administration at the Mildura or Swan Hill Campus for more information.

Youth support

Students aged 20 and younger can receive educational and personal support from the Youth Education Consultant and Youth Support Officer respectively.

Visit the school leavers page for more information.