Student Services

At QIBT, we understand that the transition to university studies can be difficult, so
we have a range of mentoring, learning and support services available. If you are finding
things difficult, we encourage you to access these services as soon as possible.

Student Mentoring Program

Top

QIBT's Student Mentoring Program enables students who are continuing with their studies at QIBT to help new students adjust and settle into university level study and life in Australia.

During the orientation program, you will be placed with an enthusiastic, friendly and approachable Student Mentor who will assist you on the day. Your Student Mentor will maintain regular contact with you in your mentor group to provide vital information and assist with questions, academic concerns or personal issues at various times throughout the year.

Student Representation

Top

The QIBT Student Liaison Committee (SLC) aims to provide students with a channel of communication between staff and the student body. The SLC provides an avenue where current issues affecting students can be discussed, and feedback can be obtained, in order to improve the quality of student life at QIBT.

The SLC also aims to foster a sense of community at QIBT. The SLC is made up of a cross section of committed students and staff who represent the QIBT student body. The student members of the SLC are appointed to represent the interests and needs of the whole QIBT student body for a period of one semester. The SLC will normally meet three times throughout the semester to discuss issues affecting students.

Student Welfare

Top

Because things do not always go the way we had planned or problems of an academic or personal nature arise, and they will for some students, our Student Counsellor & Welfare Advisor is available to meet with students to discuss a range of problems or concerns on an individual basis. All students are encouraged to participate in these programs and to contact the friendly staff at QIBT for advice and assistance as soon as they are finding things a little difficult. Remember, QIBT is here to help students achieve success within their chosen program of study!

Counsellors provide welfare and pastoral services and are available for consultation on both personal and general matters. Confidential student counselling is available, by appointment, from our Student Counsellor & Welfare Advisor. Appointments are normally made concerning issues such as the following:

  • Student safety
  • Loneliness, homesickness
  • Personal relationships, harassment
  • Your studies and academic difficulties
  • Financial problems
  • Personal trauma
  • Employment options
  • Concerns regarding friends and family
  • Personal health
  • Legal difficulties

If you have any problems, you can also access the Overseas Students Ombudsman website at www.oso.gov.au. This helpful site contains information including Frequently Asked Questions for students and private providers. The student FAQs are provided in English and 21 other languages.

In accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, any issues discussed with our Student Counsellor & Welfare Advisor are confidential and will not be discussed with any other person without your written permission or where it is necessary to protect against a serious and imminent threat to your life or health.

Learning Support

Top

Here at QIBT we understand that the transition to University level study can be difficult for some students. To assist students to develop the study skills necessary to successfully complete their program of study, QIBT offers a variety of study and learning support services, including:

Lecturer/Student Consultation

All QIBT lecturers and tutors are available for face-to-face student consultation on campus for approximately one [1] hour per week per class. If, while undertaking studies at QIBT, you experience difficulties with a particular course, you are strongly encouraged to meet with your lecturer/tutor in the first instance during their consultation time.

Study Skills Workshop

Our Academic Advisors run a number of information sessions and workshops throughout the semester for students who want to develop their study skills in areas such as time management, academic writing skills and examination techniques.

Assignment Help

Our Academic Advisors and other teaching staff are available throughout the semester for individual or group appointments if students need help with assignment drafts, researching assignments, essay structuring, assignment writing and referencing in assignments.

English Language Support (Language Development Program)

A free Language Development Program is offered each semester to international students who need to improve their English language skills and further develop their reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammatical skills within an academic context. During these classes students will be provided with individual assistance and feedback on their specific area of concern.

Find out more about the LDP here.

Peer Assisted Learning (PAL)

Students who achieve excellent academic results are selected for the Peer Assisted Learning scheme. PAL students make themselves available to other students throughout the semester by imparting their knowledge of the subject in a tutoring type arrangement. PAL support is offered to supplement lecture consultations.

Attendance Warnings

All International students enrolled at QIBT are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to maintain an average attendance rate of at least 80% per semester. To ensure that international students do not breach their student visa conditions, the Student Counsellor & Welfare Advisor reviews all attendance records on a weekly basis and contacts any student who has not been consistently attending classes and is at risk of having their student visa cancelled by DIAC.

Academic Performance Monitoring

During semester, Academic Advisors review student's results and contact any student who is at risk of failing a course to offer advice on how to improve academic performance. The purpose of this contact is to remind students of the support services available at QIBT and that they should seek help as soon as possible to ensure that they have the best chance of successfully completing their studies.

QIBT Computer Laboratory Assistants

QIBT employs Computer Laboratory Assistants throughout the semester to provide students with assistance with computer related issues including software applications, network and related resources, navigation of the QIBT portal and computer related course work difficulties.
We encourage you to participate in these programs and to contact the friendly staff at QIBT for advice and assistance as soon as you are finding things a little difficult.

Griffith University Library Facilities

QIBT students have access to the excellent Griffith University library facilities. This offers students access to the Library Help Desk for questions on their research, and assistance to use the online catalogue. Students can borrow a wide range of resources from any of the five Griffith libraries, and access group and individual study zones, and printing, scanning and photocopying facilities. The library website also enables students to access self-help resources, such as presentations on writing and time management, virtual tours and short videos explaining a range of useful student skills, such as how to search for journal articles using databases.

Disability Support

Top

QIBT is committed to providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities and promotes strategies to develop a flexible teaching and learning environment which is able to meet the needs of a diverse range of students.

QIBT encourages students to provide information (including medical or other professional advice) regarding the nature of their disability and special needs during the application and enrolment process. It is important that students provide QIBT with these details as early as possible so that we can assess students' support needs and ensure that they are able to succeed in their chosen program of study.

QIBT is committed to providing a teaching and learning environment which promotes dignity, acknowledges students' rights to privacy and confidentiality, and promotes an awareness of students' needs and rights. Therefore, QIBT is able to make reasonable accommodations to support students with disabilities throughout their studies and ensure that they have equal access to the teaching and learning environment.

QIBT is always available to assist students to ensure that they are able to succeed in their chosen program of study. For further information, please refer to the "Disability Services Policy" on the Policies and Procedures page.

Health Service

Top

The Griffith University Health Service located on the Nathan and Gold Coast campuses offers bulk-billing for medical consultations for international students with a current OSHC policy (Allianz Global Assistance) and for local students covered by Medicare.

The Health Service provides:

  • Free Nursing consultations
  • Emergency and first aid treatment
  • Preventative medical treatment
  • Treatment of ongoing/recurring conditions
  • Routine pap smears
  • Sexual health advice including testing and treatment
  • Immunisations and overseas travel vaccinations and advice
  • Referrals for x-rays, specialist treatment and ultrasounds
  • ECG recording
  • Pregnancy testing and shared care
  • Confidential needle exchange and support program
  • Health Information
  • Ancillary health services include psychiatry, optometry, massage and acupuncture

Should you require pathology tests, nurses are able to perform these on campus.
To make an appointment with a Doctor please click here for more information.

Employment

Top

Many students choose to work while they study at QIBT. Working while you study gives you an excellent opportunity to put the theories and concepts that you are learning within your program of study into practice in the real world. You should make sure that you have settled into a study routine before commencing the search for work, as your study timetable should take priority over any work commitments. Work commitments do not reduce the requirement to study, research, and submit assessment items on time.

There are many options available to you when searching for employment within Brisbane and the Gold Coast. They include employment services, newspapers, the internet and networking. Before you commence looking for employment you will need to prepare for the process by assessing your strengths and weaknesses, studying the vacancies advertised in newspapers, and discussing your situation with employment agencies. To be successful in your search for employment, you will need to market yourself and prepare a well-written application that includes your résumé [or Curriculum Vitae], and a letter of application [or Cover Letter].

QIBT counsellors can also assist students with résumé preparation and interview skills.

Related links: