Student Support Services

The contact for all concerns related to Overseas Students, such as living and studying in Australia, is the Campus Registrar. Please get in touch via reception to arrange a time to speak.

For further information on studying as an Overseas Student see our Overseas Student Page.

Whilst MST doesn’t provide any in-house accredited Counselling services, there are staff available for general spiritual support. Often facing a challenging situation can be greatly helped by having someone to sit, listen, and pray with you through it. We strongly encourage students to reach out to either Pastoral Staff at their church, a mentor, or a  close friend, but if you feel like you might benefit from someone to provide a little more spiritual guidance, please get in touch with either reception, or the Campus Registrar.

If you require any professional counselling services, we are happy to connect you with an available services nearby. The point of contact is the Campus Registrar, the Campus Dean of Students, or the Campus Academic Dean.

We’re aware that adapting to Higher Ed study, particularly academic theological study, particularly the large volume of reading and the writing of essays. MST offers to provide some degree of support to students who may be struggling to adapt to the skills required. There are resources available through the online learning portal (Canvas), most particularly the MST Essay Guide, as well as some sample essays. However – if you require additional support, we can assess that on a case-by-case basis. Further support ranges from 1-on-1 study skills sessions, study skills tutorials, 1-on-1 tutoring, as well as assistance with ‘Academic English’. Furthermore, assistance is available at the Library for learning how to use Library and research resources available to MST students.

If you are struggling and believe you may benefit from some guidance with study skills, please get in touch with the Campus Registrar directly, or via reception. If you would like guidance in learning how to access research resources, get in touch with the library at library@mst.edu.au.

Health and welfare services cover a wide range of supports for issues including those related to physical health (i.e. medical), disability, financial, and tenancy. 

For Health services you’ll be referred to qualified external providers. MST staff can make known some practitioners as needed. 

MST supports student welfare in the following ways:

• Special provision in exams, or alternate mode of assessment, for students with illness, disability or injury – are overseen by the Registrar and Academic Dean. 
• Pastoral support of students.

For access to information about welfare services at MST – the key contacts are the Campus Dean of Students and Campus Registrar. You can get in contact with them via email, phone or by chatting to them in person.

While staff at the college cannot provide legal advice, you may be referred to services in the community that can help you with legal matters; such as traffic incidents, domestic violence matters, family law matters, immigration, and consumer rights. 

From time-to-time, students are referred to external legal services where necessary. The Campus Dean of Students can provide details of access to legal services if your matter relates to an issue at College.

Support with accommodation will provide you with information about ways to find accommodation while you undertake study.

MST Wantirna campus is a day and off-campus college, however other campuses may have accommodation options. Please contact the Campus Registrar or Campus Dean of Students who can support you with accommodation issues or enquiries while you undertake study.

Students may also wish to join a closed student Facebook noticeboard where accommodation options are posted from time to time. 

The student advocacy service helps students understand policy and procedures and can assist with making appeals, grievances and complaints. In general, student advocacy services at MST are provided by the Campus Academic Dean, Campus Registrar and Dean of Students. If you would like to lodge an appeal, grievance, or complaint – make a time to speak with one of these people.

National Student Ombudsman

The Australian Government has introduced legislation to establish a new National Student Ombudsman, commencing 1 February 2025. The National Student Ombudsman will provide an effective, trauma-informed complaints mechanism for higher education students to use when they are not satisfied by their higher education provider’s response. Vocational education students may be able to access the National Student Ombudsman at a later date. You can read more about this service and how to access assistance from the National Student Ombudsman.

Melbourne School of Theology is a Christian organisation that upholds biblical precepts by instruction and example. The College is committed to the biblical belief that each man, woman and child is created in the image of God as a unique individual of dignity and worth. Therefore, the College seeks to ensure that the dignity of every staff member, volunteer, student and visitor to the College is respected and is committed to provide a safe environment for all.

Sexual assault includes a range of behaviours, all of which are unacceptable and constitute a crime. Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent, including when they have withdrawn their consent.

Sexual harassment may be physical, verbal and can occur online and through media involving information technologies. Sexual harassment generally involves an unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which, in the circumstances, a reasonable person, aware of those circumstances, would anticipate the possibility that the person would feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated. Some forms of sexual harassment are also criminal behaviour and may be treated as a criminal offence.

For more information, see our sexual assault and sexual harassment policy here.

First Responders:

Daisy Barnard, Eastern Dean of Students
dbarnard@eastern.edu.au

David Briddock, Property and Services Manager 
dbriddock@mst.edu.au

Reporting an incident

If you have witnessed or been a victim of a sexual assault or sexual harassment, you may lodge a confidential report by contacting the first responders listed above or filling out the SASH Incident Reporting Form. The incident will be confidentially investigated by the Dean of Studies, according to the College’s SASH reporting procedure. If there should be a conflict of interest, you can raise the matter directly with the Executive Principal of the College. If the matter relates to the Executive Principal, please report the incident directly to the Police.

What to do if you need help?

If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger, please call the police on 000 in Australia, or your local emergency services line outside of Australia.

For support and to speak to a trauma-trained counsellor

The National Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service (1800 RESPECT)
1800 737 732 (24 hours a day / 7 days a week)

Sexual Assault Crisis Line
1800 806 292 (24 hours a day/ 7 days a week)

Centre Against Sexual Assault
Short to medium term counselling and advocacy support, support groups, 24 hour telephone counselling and support.

Legal advice and support

Women’s Legal Service Victoria
03 8622 0600

ICLC Free legal advice
Specialist Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer service.
1800 244 481

Victims and survivors support

Victims of Crime Helpline
1800 819 817 (Free call 8am – 11 pm, 7 days a week)

Reachout.com
Support for survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment

Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention, 24 hours a day
13 11 14

Beyondblue
Mental health support
1300 224 636

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467

Translating services and services for people with disabilities

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
13 14 50
Ask them to contact the phone number of the service to which you want to connect.

National Relay Service
13 36 77
Relay officers convert voice to text or text to voice for callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment via teletypewriter (TTY)/ Voice Calls. Ask them to contact the number of the service to which you want to connect.

Speak and Listen
1300 555 727
Create a call profile identifying any special communications needs that you have, to ensure your calls go more smoothly.

Safety with technology and support for victims of image-based abuse

Online Safety
https://www.esafety.gov.au/whats-on/online-safety
Using your device safely
https://www.esafety.gov.au/women/using-your-device-safely

Learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content
https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/esafety-guide

Image-based abuse information

The e-safety Commissioner provides help to remove images and videos, access to counselling and support and legal assistance
https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/image-based-abuse

If someone has shared or threatened to share an intimate image of you without your consent, you can take action against the person who posted, or threatened to post
https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/image-based-abuse/take-action/report-to-esafety-commissioner

Healthy relationships start with feeling respected and safe. You have a right to respect and safety in all your relationships.