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Student Safety

Anuroop Sabharwal

"I was worried about how I would manage ... but Swinburne has made it so much easier and now I don't feel like an outsider."

Anuroop Sabharwal, India

Student health, safety and wellbeing is a priority at Swinburne for all students.

Swinburne provides numerous facilities and services to support the safety of all our students. Some of these include:

 

 

Melbourne is a great place in which to live. Like any other large city, however, it is important that you consider your health, safety and wellbeing at all times.

We’ve compiled a list of emergency contacts, support services and safety tips to ensure you have the best possible experience while you're here in Melbourne.

If you have any further concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our international student advisers.

Keeping safe in Melbourne

Victoria Police provide some great tips about living in Melbourne and keeping safe.

How can you correctly identify a member of Victoria Police? How can you contact them? What should you do if you're feeling unsafe?

Click here to see more videos about maintaining your personal safety.

Click here to download a PDF flyer about creating your own safety plan.

 

Swinburne After-hours Hotline

We are committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive environment for our students.

The Swinburne After Hours Hotline provides after-hours referral support services including medical, safety, environmental, mental health, accommodation, transport or basic student enquiries.

It is open after hours on weekdays from 5.00pm - 9.00am and 24 hours on weekends. The number is 1800 022 168.

The hotline is a free call from landlines anywhere in Australia (standard mobile phone rates apply).

If you require advice or assistance during business hours (9.00am - 5.00pm), please contact an International Student Adviser.

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Emergency contacts


Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade – 000

In an emergency you can contact the Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance by dialing 000. The operator will ask for your name and address and other details of the emergency situation. This call is free of charge but should be used only in an emergency.

If you feel unsafe or threatened at any time, have anything stolen, or are assaulted, you can contact the Police for help and to report the incident.

If you require non-urgent advice or information or need to report a non-urgent matter, like lost property, you should attend or call the local Police Station. Contact details for your local Police Station can be found at the Victoria Police website.

Swinburne Security – (03) 9214 3333

For all on-campus security emergencies, call Swinburne Security at (03) 9214 3333

  • Swinburne Security provides a 24-hour on-campus service. This includes an escort service. Security will walk you to your car, the train station or another destination close to campus. Give them a call, and they will come to where you are.
  • The Swinburne Emergency Management website features additional safety information about dealing with dangerous or threatening people:

Indian Hotline – 1800 342 800

This helpline – staffed by trained volunteers fluent in English and Hindi – provides guidance on what to do and where to go in a crisis. It is an initiative of a police reference group, formed with members of the Indian community.

OSHC Worldcare 24-hour Emergency Helpline – 1800 814 781

OSHC Worldcare has a 24-hour Emergency Helpline that provides medical, legal and interpreting services to students in need.

Victims of Crime Helpline – 1800 819 817

Whatever the incident, being a victim of crime can be a frightening experience with many short and long term consequences. If you are a victim of a crime and would like to speak to someone, please call 1800 819 817 (free call).

International Student Legal Advice Clinic (ISLAC)

ISLAC is a free advice clinic to help you with any legal problems relating to employment, student rights, discrimination, victims of crime, police complaints and more.

Wednesdays 6.00pm–8.00pm. Western Suburbs Legal Service, 30 Hall Street, Newport. (Behind Newport train station; 10 minutes from Footscray station on the Werribee line.)

No appointment required. Phone (03) 9391 2244 for more information.

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Swinburne support and advice services


International Student Advisers – (03) 9214 5016 or (03) 9214 5519

Swinburne is concerned for the safety and wellbeing of all our students, and we are continuing to offer every support we can. For advice and access to other support services, you can contact an International Student Adviser.

Hawthorn Andrea La Greca (03) 9214 5159
Hawthorn Desma Smith (03) 9214 5016
Hawthorn ISA (Under 18 students) Jessie Li (03) 9214 5853
Prahran Diana Diaz-Vega (03) 9214 6112
Lilydale/Wantirna Lorraine McKenzie (03) 9215 7186

Harpreet Singh Maan from Swinburne International can also be contacted for advice and support on (03) 9214 5519.


Sponsored Students Unit

If you are a sponsored student and would you like any advice or support, please contact:

AusAID / Endeavour students Liam Clarke (03) 9214 5925
Other sponsored students Melina Wong (03) 9214 5202
 

Student Counselling Service – (03) 9214 8025

This is a free and confidential service available for all Swinburne students on all campuses. Please also encourage others to seek help if necessary.

Hawthorn TD Building, level 3 (03) 9214 8025
Prahran Level 2 PK Building, Room PK223
(near Swinburne International office)		 (03) 9214 6734
Lilydale Student Centre Reception (03) 9215 7101
Wantirna WA Building, Room WA118 (03) 9210 1293
 

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Consular services

China Consulate General of the People's Republic of China (03) 9822 0604
India India Consulate General of India, Melbourne
High Commission of India in Australia, ACT		 (03) 9384 0460
(02) 6273 3999
Indonesia Consulate-General of the Republic of Indonesia (03) 9525 2755
Korea Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea (02) 9210 0200
Malaysia Consulate of Malaysia (02) 9327 7596
Oman Consulate-General of the Sultanate of Oman (03) 9820 4096
Pakistan Consulate-General of Pakistan (02) 9222 1806
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (02) 6269 3170
Sri Lanka Consulate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (03) 9802 0255
Thailand Royal Thai Consulate-General (03) 9533 9100
United Arab Emirates Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (02) 6286 8802
Vietnam Consulate-General of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (02) 9327 2539
 

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Safety videos

 
   


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Safety tips

  • Don't openly carry valuables, including iPods, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
  • Find suitable and safe routes to petrol stations, shops and your local police station. Try to find routes that are well lit and busy.
  • Avoid confrontation - it is better and safer to walk away if you are being provoked.
  • If you feel you are being followed, cross the street, and if you are still worried, move as quickly as possible to a public area (such as a restaurant) and then telephone for help.
  • At night, walk in pairs in well-lit areas and on busier streets, not dark alleyways and side-streets. Use the Swinburne Night Bus to get to a nearby carpark or public transport.
  • Have your keys ready well before you reach the door of your car or house.
  • If you are going away, tell someone you trust where you are going and when you will be back.
  • If travelling by bus or tram at night, try not to wait alone at the bus or tram stops. Arrange for others to meet you at your home stop if you are returning late and have a long way to walk home.
  • If you are travelling by train at night, do not sit in an empty carriage. Try to sit near groups of people in a well-lit area.
  • Check the time of the last train, bus or tram home to avoid being stranded at night.
  • Avoid walking alone after getting off public transport at night. If you can, walk close to a group of people or arrange for someone to meet you.

 

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