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Your education journey

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Education Providers

Geelong is fortunate to have so many quality educational institutions that are registered with the Government to offer courses to international students. Whatever stage you are on your educational journey there are many options to choose from.

  • Private Higher Education College

    Private Higher Education College

    Providing higher education for post-secondary students, qualifications range from certificates to bachelor degrees. Marcus Oldham College graduates commence careers in agriculture or para-professional roles. Deakin College students pathway into the second year of Deakin bachelor degrees.

  • TAFE

    TAFE

    Providing vocational training that focuses on hands-on learning, qualifications offered include certificates, through to advanced diplomas, as well as apprenticeships and traineeships. Graduate students commence careers in trades or para-professional roles, or pathway to university.

  • University

    University

    Providing higher education for post-secondary students, qualifications range from bachelor degrees to post graduate doctoral degrees. Graduates are highly skilled to work in a diverse range of academic, professional and research roles.

Are you the next Study Geelong Ambassadors for 2025?

What’s Study Geelong?

 

Study Geelong is a collaborative program run by Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine with tertiary education institutions to build Geelong as an education destination of choice and to support students to connect with their peers and the local community.

What’s involved in being an ambassador?
10 students are chosen to become a Study Geelong ambassador in a 12-month volunteer role for students studying at eligible tertiary institutions in Geelong.. 

-Deakin University

-Deakin College

Marcus Oldham College

The Gordon

It’s a fun volunteer role that will see you exploring the region with your fellow ambassadors and international students. You’ll also build networks and relationships with other students and there may be some additional opportunities to attend partner events and professional development opportunities.

 

 How to apply

Our Study Geelong programs attract and support international students to have excellent experiences and create lifelong memories as they study, live and explore in Geelong.

The Study Geelong Student Ambassador Program provides higher education students (domestic and international) with the skills and experiences to strengthen relationships between international students and the broader Geelong community.

As an ambassador you will promote Geelong as a friendly place to study, live and explore. You will experience adventures and professional development opportunities and share your experiences through storytelling on social media. Up to 10 student ambassadors will be selected to join this exciting program annually.


Position responsibilities

Key responsibilities

  • Get to explore things to see and do in Geelong and promote them through social media and your institution.
  • Undertake training for creating content on social media
  • Take part in opportunities to network with other international students.
  • Assist in planning Study Geelong activities and be a representative at partner functions.
  • Share your ambassador experience online via social media and blogging.
  • Commit to an average 5 hours per month of activity organised by Study Geelong (this may vary from month to month)
  • Adhere to CoGG Volunteer Procedures, Code of Conduct and to all Council’s policies and procedures relevant to this position.


Values

Our values represent who we are and who we aspire to be. They are the tools to create the workplace culture we want. We are all accountable for this.

  • Respect and encourage each other
  • Create a healthy and safe environment for all
  • Embrace new ideas and better ways to work
  • Make people the centre of our business


Risk management and occupational health and safety responsibilities

  • Understand and comply with Council OHS policies, procedures and legislative requirements relevant to the position.
  • Perform work in a safe and appropriate manner.
  • Ensure behaviour does not discriminate, bully or harass others.
  • Take responsibility for own safety and that of others.
  • Proactively report any incidents, injuries, hazards or unsafe work practices.

The following general physical and functional requirements may apply to this position. Specific physical requirements will be attached if applicable:

  • Manual handling tasks.
  • Prolonged periods of inactivity e.g., sitting at the computer.
  • Regular keyboarding associated activities.
  • Long / short distance travel between sites.
  • Dealing with difficult clients and situations.
  • Demanding deadlines.


Child safe

City of Greater Geelong is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. The focus of our work is on children under the age of 18. We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities in keeping children and young people safe from harm and promoting their best interests.

We have specific policies, procedures and training in place to support employees, volunteers and contractors to achieve these commitments.

We create environments where all children have a voice and are listened to, their views are respected and they contribute to how we plan for, design and develop our services and activities.

We are committed to:

  • preventing child abuse occurring within our services, programs and facilities.
  • creating an organisational culture of child safety.
  • setting clear expectations of employees, volunteers and contractors as to what is required to keep children safe.
  • ensuring employees, volunteers, contractors are clear about their responsibilities when they suspect abuse of a child.
  • ensuring all suspected abuse is reported and fully investigated.


Diversity and inclusion

At the City we want our people to reflect the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees, volunteers, and contractors to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages, and diverse experience. 


Key selection criteria

  1. Be enrolled as a domestic or international student at one of Study Geelong’s post-secondary school education institutions or have completed your study no more than 6 months ago, be living in Geelong and be on a post study work rights visa (or a bridging visa whilst you transfer between these visas). Visit Study Geelong for the current list of members.
  2. Be 18 years old or over and have a valid Student Visa if you are an international student
  3. Have good professional communication skills
  4. Have good organisational and time management skills; be reliable and punctual
  5. Be able to work independently as well as part of a team
  6. Have or be willing to apply for a Working with Children Check (‘volunteer’ category)


Additional information

  1. Participation in the program is for 12 months with an optional second year for those Ambassadors who were current students in the first year of the program. For those Ambassadors who had already completed their study when they applied, they are not eligible for a second year.
  2. You will need to submit a resume (CV) of no more than two pages with two referees and a video of no more than 60 seconds as to why you would make a great Study Geelong Ambassador.
  3. The City of Greater Geelong provides personal injury cover under our Personal Injury Insurance and therefore volunteers can work up to 90 years of age.
  4. Animals and/or children cannot accompany volunteers.
  5. For safety purposes, we request volunteers to not share any personal or sensitive information with the members of the public while on duty.
  6. We request volunteers report any situation regarding volunteer’s own or a visitor’s health, wellbeing, or safety to the coordinator, so the individual receives adequate support from those best equipped to handle the situation through the right channels.


Applications are open from Monday 17 February 2025 - Sunday 9 March 2025.

Please email info@studygeelong.com.au with your attached resume (cv) and your personal video by Sunday 9 March 2025

 *Interviews for this position will take place online or in person from, Monday 10 March 2025 - Monday 17 March 2025. 

 

 

For more information please email info@studygeelong.com.au

Please submit your application and ask any questions to our Study Geelong Officers, Isla and Felicity at info@studygeelong.com.au 

 

 

Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian education system is a national policy that covers qualifications from the tertiary education sector (higher education and vocational education and training) in addition to the school-leaving certificate; the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. This is known as the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The AQF has 10 levels and links school, vocational and university education qualifications into one national system. This allows you to move easily from one level of study to the next, and from one institution to another, as long as you satisfy student visa requirements. It allows for choice and flexibility in career planning. All qualifications in the AQF help prepare you for both further study and your working life.

Our institutions are linked across the country and across the world, which makes it easy to move throughout the education system between courses or institutions and formal agreement and recognition frameworks mean every step of the path will contribute to your future no matter what your study or career goals.

Pathways

Multiple study pathways and exit points exist between secondary school, TAFE and university. Each stage of study brings its own qualification and can be the completion of your studies, or it can provide a pathway onto the next stage.

Your current year and skill level will determine what course level or institution you are eligible to apply for. Where you finish will depend on the career outcomes you’re hoping to achieve.

pathways

  • Student Events and Activities

    Student Events and Activities

     Upcoming Events...

    Study Geelong and The Lounge End of Year celebration

    Halloween End of Year Party

    There'll be spooky activities, prizes for scary costumes and food to gnaw and chew on!
    Come along and bring your friends!

     

    Read more
  • Student Resources

    Student Resources

    Where can I get help with......

    Browse the Study Geelong student resources for international students.

    Read more
  • Are you the next Study Geelong Ambassadors for 2025?

    Are you the next Study Geelong Ambassadors for 2025?

    Are you our next Study Geelong ambassadors for 2025?

    If you love to explore more of Geelong and The Bellarine, get to know other international students and help share your adventures on social media, then becoming an ambassador might be for you!

    Read more

Student Stories

  • Marjetka

    The Gordon

    “I chose The Gordon because I wanted to study Diploma of Community Services Work and it is the only place in Geelong that is accredited by ACWA (Australian Community Workers Association). I love being a student at The Gordon! We have very passionate, skilled and experienced teachers who challenge and empower us at the same time – to learn more, to research, and to build up our strengths and skills to become better workers.

    I am not working in the field yet, but I am sure I will be well prepared for employment. Being an international student in the class with Australians is definitely a very good experience! I have got the opportunity to improve my English skills, to get insight into Aussie slang and to find out more about the Australian lifestyle, customs and culture. I wouldn’t want it any other way! ”

    Marjetka Gojkosek
    Diploma of Community Services

    Marjetka

    “I chose The Gordon because I wanted to study Diploma of Community Services Work and it is the only place in Geelong that is accredited by ACWA...

  • Tanya

    Deakin University

    There are several things I love to talk about in life: family, food and Australia. A year and a half ago I decided to depart on the adventure of a lifetime and so I packed up and moved from the small town of Otterburne, Manitoba, Canada to Geelong, Australia. In my mind I had decided that if I was going to go anywhere, I wasn’t going to go just half way across the world, but rather, all the way! So now I am a second year medical student at Deakin University and I have completely fallen in love with Australia.

    To be honest, I had always been a homebody; however, after living in a small town for most of my life, I decided to see what else was out there. I had always wanted to become a doctor and I decided to mix my passion for medicine with my newly discovered passion for travel.


    At the Deakin University Waurn Ponds Campus

    After many hours researching on the internet and filling out what seemed to be a million applications to different universities in Australia, I was accepted into the Deakin School of Medicine’s Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery degree. To be honest, there may have been some screaming and jumping on my bed when I found out. For me, going to Deakin University just made sense. The staff at Deakin that helped me with my application process were so helpful and supportive. I loved that the Deakin School of Medicine was rurally focused and put a lot of effort into recruiting students from a variety of academic backgrounds, cultures and countries.

    "For me, going to Deakin University just made sense. The staff at Deakin that helped me with my application process were so helpful and supportive."


    Some beautiful views at my campus

    So several months, a costly ticket, and one very large suitcase later, I was off to Australia! Coming to Australia has been the most amazing and terrifying experience of my life. I did not know a single person, so it was a big adjustment getting settled. However, it took very little time for me to make new friends. Australians are such welcoming people and everyone that I met helped me feel at home.

    Australians are such welcoming people and everyone that I met helped me feel at home. The best part of living and studying in Australia is the weather and the beaches. Coming from the middle of Canada, where there is no ocean and it’s horribly snowy and cold for 5 months of the year, it still amazes me that I can just go to the beach and walk in the ocean at any time of the year.


    The surf coast just past Torquay

    When I’m not studying, there are so many things to do, whether that be going to the surf coast, exploring nature, going into Geelong or Melbourne. There are so many good cafés and restaurants in Melbourne, and there is an amazing Canada Day celebration every 1st of July! It’s also so easy to travel within Australia and I have visited both Tasmania and Perth so far.


    Vineyards along the Tamar River, just outside Launceston, Tasmania


    Watching the sun disappear into the ocean at the iconic Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia

    I still have 2.5 years left in Australia, and while there are days that I miss home, I have never regretted my decision. The experiences I have had studying at Deakin and living in Australia are some of the best I have ever had. I cannot wait to see what the rest of my time at Deakin has in store for me!

    Tanya

    There are several things I love to talk about in life: family, food and Australia. A year and a half ago I decided to depart on the adventure of a lifetime and so I packed up and moved from the small town...

  • Shingi

    Marcus Oldham College

     

    I decided to study Agribusiness in Australia as a pathway to expand my agricultural production knowledge and build on experience I gained back home in Zimbabwe. Studying agribusiness abroad would be the best way to learn global agriculture dynamics and transfer the knowledge back home.  

    I am happy to be studying alongside budding, ambitious and like-minded Australians who are passionate and tuned into agriculture. The mixture of farming backgrounds at the college has added value and quality to the educational experience. The course delivery is from an in-depth industry perspective which makes the course relevant to the outside world. The flexibility of the course structure, delivery and access to facilities has allowed me to study and still nurture my small family. The study tours of China, Hong Kong and New Zealand capped off the whole study experience.

    Marcus Oldham is a small community with significant outside influence. The great sense of community, comradery and heritage made it easy to settle in, network and be part of. Meeting students who came from all across Australia has been a natural introduction to the diversity of the country. Marcus Oldham has brought out my ability to adjust to new environments and social settings and to find a niche role within any group. The best way to enjoy the Australian culture is to get involved and have a go. In amongst the multicultural array of the country, I have experienced the complexity of many regions through travelling, the rich natural landscape, the great outdoors and the sporting culture of Australia.

    With a year to complete the Bachelor of Agribusiness, I hope the refined business skills will propel my career further. Currently, I am the Assistant Mushroom Grower at Parwan Valley Mushrooms, Victoria.

    Studying abroad gives a different perspective on past experiences and natural knowledge. The moment you step out from your doorstep you open yourself up to the world. Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to see a different way of doing things and create memories for life. There is a lot to learn and remember you also have just as much to offer.

     

    Shingi

     

    I decided to study Agribusiness in Australia as a pathway to expand my agricultural production knowledge and build on experience I gained back home in Zimbabwe. Studying agribusiness abroad...

  • Yakubu Daffi

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE was a study destination that I decided on hesitantly. Being a TAFE, I felt the practical approach and real experience would help me further my studies and career path.

    The Gordon has surpassed all expectations.
    At this stage, I can look back on that decision and confidently say I have no regrets whatsoever.

    The teachers are a great asset. The amount of care and attention they provide exceeds expectations. I go to class every morning knowing that I have their full backing and support. Lessons are broken down into very simple and concise parts, our nursing labs are fully equipped with state of the art tools and our lesson plans are setup to match the current needs of the work force.

    The students are very welcoming and ready to interact. I have made friends who have become family. The multicultural environment made settling in a lot easier. Finding my way around during the first few weeks of admission was no problem because staff are always ready to direct you to your destination.

    I am happy I made The Gordon my study destination; I could not have had it any better.

    Yakubu Daffi

    The Gordon Institute of TAFE was a study destination that I decided on hesitantly. Being a TAFE, I felt the practical approach and real experience would help me further my studies and career path.

    ...