Pr e-d ep ar t u r e
7. Pr e-d ep ar t u r e
7.1. Pr e-d ep ar t u r e in f o r m at io n
7.1.1. Pre-departure briefings provide essential information that awardees need when they arrive in Australia to commence their studies, such as advice about living and studying in Australia. The briefings are also an opportunity to provide information about award conditions, including entitlements and obligations, such as the requirement that Awardees leave Australia and return to their home country for a minimum period of two years after completing their Australia Awards Scholarship.
7.1.2. The briefing helps awardees to settle into Australia and their institution quickly, making it easier for them to complete their studies within the timeframe provided in
their contract.
7.1.3. It is compulsory for awardees to participate in a pre-departure briefing.
7.1.4. Family members of awardees, especially those who expect to accompany them to Australia, are encouraged to participate in the briefing. The costs for family
members to attend the briefing must be covered by awardees, but some Program Areas may subsidise these costs.
7.1.5. The institution:
i. must provide each awardee with an institution information kit before they depart for Australia
ii. must forward the kit directly to the awardee to arrive at the earliest possible time and no later than 14 days before the awardee departs for Australia
iii. may liaise directly with Program Areas to distribute the kit to an awardee if this helps ensure the kit reaches the awardee.
7.1.6. Institutions should also provide information kits to the Scholarships and Alumni Branch and the Program Areas on request.
7.1.7. As a minimum, the institution information kit must include information that is required under the standards found in the National Code of Practice for Registration
Authorities and Providers of Education of Overseas Students 2007 ( www.aei.gov.au/Regulatory-Information/Education-Services-for-Overseas-Students- ESOS-Legislative-Framework/National-Code/Pages/default.aspx ), any information required under the contract with DFAT, and other information the institution deems relevant e.g. reception information, climate details, long-term accommodation options, living costs, course details, support services at the institution, including disability support services at the institution and in the community, local childcare and schooling options, and information about public transport.
7.1.8. Program Areas must:
i. provide the pre-departure briefing at least one month before the awardee departs for Australia
ii. arrange and cover the costs for awardees to attend this briefing
iii. provide the pre-departure DVD and guidebook to awardees as early as possible after they accept their Australia Award offer. These resources will assist awardees
to prepare for their arrival, and to make the most of the opportunity to live and study in Australia.
7.1.9. As part of the pre-departure briefing, Program Areas are required to ensure that awardees understand that, while on scholarship in Australia, they are bound by Australian law. Program Areas must explain that the legal framework in Australia may
be different to an awardee’s home country, particularly in relation to domestic and gender violence.
7.1.10. The Scholarships and Alumni Branch provides a pre-departure DVD and
guidebook to Program Areas.
7.2. Fam ily
7.2.1. The Australian Government does not provide any financial or other support for the dependants of awardees.
7.2.2. Applicants must identify at the scholarship application stage if they intend
to bring family members with them to Australia.
7.2.3. Awardees are responsible, including financially responsible, for their family members who accompany them to Australia.
7.2.4. Awardees are not permitted to leave their dependent children who accompany them to Australia, under 18 years of age, on their own during any awardee ’s absence from Australia during their scholarship without arranging a guardian to care for them.
7.2.5. Awardees who intend to bring family with them are strongly encouraged to come to Australia on their own for at least the first six months. This will allow the awardee to attend the Introductory Academic Program (see Section 12.1 ) and become established in their program of studies without the distraction of family responsibilities.
7.2.6. Awardees may contact the Student Contact Officer at their institution for information about accommodation, as well as schooling and child care for dependants. They should contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for information
about current visa requirements for accompanying family. Visit www.immi.gov.au for details.
7.2.7. Institutions are responsible for providing documentation requested by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to ensure visas for 7.2.7. Institutions are responsible for providing documentation requested by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to ensure visas for