Starting studies at university for the first time is a huge transition for anyone, especially if your child is planning to fly halfway across the world to study at The University of Western Australia. During this transition, they will quickly gain independence, learn to take on a lot of new responsibilities and quickly adapt to their new lifestyle and environment.

As a parent or guardian, it’s normal to worry about how your child is going once they embark on their new study adventure. That’s why, at UWA and in Perth, we offer a range of support services to help your child throughout their stay.  

Here’s a quick guide to some of the options you and your child should know about:

Support to welcome your child to Perth

• Airport pick up service – We want to make your child’s move to Perth as stress-free as possible. That’s why we offer a free airport pick-up service for international students when they touch down and arrive. All your child needs to do is let us know when they arrive, and we will handle the rest. 
• Airport welcome service – StudyPerth offers a range of free support services to international students for the duration of their studies in Perth. A great way for your child to connect with these services is at the airport welcome on arrival, which operates at key times of the year. Your child will also receive a welcome pack full of goodies.
• UniMentor – Before your child even arrives in Perth, we’ll connect them with their own UniMentor, to help them get settled into their new UWA life. Our UniMentors come from all cultural backgrounds and collectively speak more than 70 languages and dialects.

Academic support 

We want nothing more for your child to succeed and receive an internationally recognised degree from our world top 100 university (QS 2023). Studying at university in Australia might be a little bit different from home, which is why we offer a range of services to help your child to kick their UWA study goals:

• English and language support – The Centre for English and Language Teaching (known as CELT) offers a range of English support services in a friendly and supportive environment.
• One-on-one study advice – Students can independently meet with UWA academic advisers to help improve their writing, study, maths, stats or English skills.
• Academic skills workshops – We run specialised free online workshops to help students improve their study techniques, time management, communication skills and more.
• After-hours study help – Online studying support from tutors through Studiosity is also available for 24/7 assistance. 

Developing international friendships 

The opportunities are endless for making new connections on campus at UWA. You can read a previous article on this, ‘How to make friends when you arrive in Perth’, or get some ideas for your child below: 

• Clubs, sports and campus life – At UWA, there are over 160 clubs and societies registered on campus, so your child can easily find people with the same interests. Our clubs cover spirituality, culture, professions, sports, fun and more! If your child is into sports, they’re sure to make friends by joining a team – there are over 400 UWA sports teams to join!
• International Students Department – The ISA represents the international student body on campus and organises a range of fun activities including sports days, games, parties and trips. It is the ultimate way to connect with other international students on campus.

Mental health and wellbeing support

UWA offers many ways for students to get the support they need to maintain their mental health and wellbeing throughout their studies: 

• The Living Room – This is a safe place for everyone on campus and is the perfect place for your child to unwind (no appointments required). There is always someone to talk to and regular sessions to de-stress by spending time with friendly pet dogs, practicing mindfulness, yoga and more.  
• Counselling and psychological services – UWA students can also access counselling and psychology services on campus if they ever need it. From short term sessions aimed at addressing concerns to longer term intervention for complex mental health support needs, UWA is here to support your child.
  
  

Safety and security on campus

Perth is a safe city, but that doesn’t stop you from worrying about your child’s wellbeing when they are in a different country. We are committed to ensuring all our students can study in a safe and inclusive environment, which is why we offer extensive security services on campus to give you that extra peace of mind:

• Around-the-clock security patrols
• Security escort service around campus or back to their car
• Help point emergency phones
• 24-hour Security Operations Centre
  
  

Want to know more about how we support our students at UWA? Visit our support services page. 

If you’re still deciding if UWA is the right fit for your child, visit the international students page on our website, contact our Future Students Centre by submitting an online enquiry through askUWA or chat with a current international student or staff.