International Students

Our values both support and celebrate diversity and the global perspectives that each student brings to our community.  We enjoy a reputation for being one of Australia’s most innovative and successful schools and regularly attract students from Asia, the Pacific Islands, North and South America and Europe.  Our international students find MLC to be an enriching and supportive environment and often comment on the atmosphere of belonging that they experience.  

English as an Additional Language

All students who do not have English as their first language are required to sit an English Language Assessment Test provided by the Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS). The enrolment can only be processed after the results of this test have been forwarded to MLC.

MLC has minimum requirements for EAL for secondary school students to proceed with enrolment, please see below:

Welfare and Accommodation

All overseas students planning to study at MLC are required to indicate their accommodation arrangements at the time of application.
The College requires that all students either:

• Live in Australia with a parent, a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) approved relative or a legal custodian;
• Live in the Tiddeman Boarding House (Year 7-12); or
• Live in Australia under a Homestay accommodation arrangement approved by MLC (the student must be at least 15 years of age).

When MLC accepts an overseas student enrolment in either the Boarding House or Homestay, the College is responsible for the provision of accommodation, support and general welfare of the student and issues a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter as part of the visa process. 
These arrangements are required to be in place for the period that the individual is enrolled as a student at MLC.
MLC is not permitted to delegate, outsource or contract out this responsibility. 

Tiddeman Boarding House 

Our Tiddeman Boarding House offers a comfortable home away from home in which students (Years 7-12) make lasting friendships. The Head of Boarding and boarding staff are dedicated to ensuring that boarding students are well supported and guided in making the most of what MLC has to offer.
During term breaks, overseas students (for whom the College has issued a CAAW) residing in the Boarding House must:

• return home to parents, or
• move to a ‘short term’ Homestay arrangement approved by the College (note: students under 15years of age are not permitted to stay in short term homestay).

Click here for further information on Boarding at MLC.

Homestay 

Where a student will not be residing with a parent or DHA approved relative and a boarding house place is not available, eligible (Year 10-12 students) international students may be considered for a school approved Homestay.  A parent may recommend a Homestay host or the College may provide a Homestay host, subject to availability.  In either case, MLC is responsible for approving all accommodation arrangements.  An MLC approved Homestay is subject to stringent selection, approval and monitoring processes by the College, developed to meet the requirements of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework, the 2018 National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students and Student Visa Condition 8532 which require that appropriate arrangements have been made for the accommodation, welfare and support of students less than 18 years of age.

Supporting our Overseas Students 

The International Student Team at MLC comprehensively supports the social, academic and administrative needs of our international students.

All international students have access to a range of support facilities including:

• MLC's International Student Coordinator, who monitors all aspects of student welfare, including academic progress, and provides opportunities for international students to become active members of the College community.
• MLC’s Student Homestay Consultant, who supports students in both short term and long-term Homestay arrangements.
• MLC Admissions, who help with visa, passport and health insurance matters.
• MLC Careers Counsellors, who work closely with international students and their teachers in subject choice, career advice and university entrance.
• The Melbourne Schools Partnership International (MSPI) is a unique alliance between the University of Melbourne and selected schools including MLC. Each year, the Program assists MLC to support our high calibre international students.

Local Support Person 

The College recommends each overseas student issued with a CAAW letter to have a Local Support Person while the student is studying in Melbourne as a way of providing personal and practical support in addition to support provided by the College as the official guardian.

The Local Support Person may be recommended by the parents and is preferably known to them.
An MLC Local Support Person needs to meet the following criteria:

• Must be over 21 years of age
• Must be comfortable conversing in English
• Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, living in Metropolitan Melbourne
• Must be contactable by both email and phone 7 days/week
• Must be committed to providing ongoing and regular support to the student
• Must nominate a replacement person if they are going to be away for an extended period of time
• Must be prepared to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC), provide proof of identity and suitable references and complete MLC’s Child Safe Induction.

Where families are unable to nominate a suitable Local Support Person, the College will discuss other options with you as part of the enrolment process. 

The College endorses all Local Support Persons before a formal appointment is made, to ensure the suitability of the person to the role. 

Student Visa and Overseas Health Cover 

After acceptance of a place, MLC will issue the documentation required for students to obtain a student visa and organise overseas student health cover if necessary. This visa will be issued for the length of the course of schooling.

There are many questions you may have and we encourage you to read our Prospectus and contact MLC Admissions at admissions@mlc.vic.edu.au or on +61 3 9274 6316.