Supporting Your Study
Undertaking further study is a big commitment, and we know that life doesn’t stop just because you’ve started studying. GOTAFE offers a range of support services to help you balance study with a busy schedule and make sure that, no matter what else is happening in your life, you have all the resources required to stay engaged with your studies.
goLearn
GoLearn is GOTAFE’s online learning portal and is an important part of your learning experience. Log in to your account or log in to your Moodle App on your mobile device.
GOTAFE is committed to providing a quality learning experience for students studying online. These online service standards explain our commitment to students in key areas.
Library & Knowledge Hub
The GOTAFE Library is located at the Fryers Street Campus. All students have access to the library via the library website. If you need a book or any of the resources from the library, you can request it and the library team will ensure it is sent to the campus that you are on. Deliveries of requests are usually sent within one (1) working day and will be available for pickup at your campus.
The Library & Knowledge Hub provide more than just access to online resources, journals and books. You can access help with referencing, some study help, subject guides, support using computers and welcoming and interactive learning spaces.
You can also gain some valuable insights on the Library & Knowledge Hub via the Student Lounge in goLearn.
Remember, our friendly and helpful Librarians are always here to help you, so feel free to make contact for a chat.
Learning Support
The Learning Support program is a free and confidential service designed to help you build the foundation skills you need to be successful.
We offer one-on-one tutoring, group tutoring, and classroom-based support, and have a drop-in centre, so you can get the academic help you need, whenever you need it.
Speak to your Course Coordinator for more information about Learning Support.
We can help you up-skill in the following:
- Study skills and time management
- Effective reading and note-taking
- Computer skills
- Referencing and research
- Oral presentations and public speaking
- Interpreting assignment questions
- Assignment writing
- English language skills, including spelling and grammar
- Maths
- Assessment and Exam preparation.
Special Consideration
We understand that sometimes things can happen that are out of your control. If unexpected circumstances affect your ability to complete an assessment you can apply for special consideration.
To find out whether you qualify for special consideration, please contact a Student Experience Advisor who will support you through the process and help you explore the options available to you.
Reasonable Adjustment
Reasonable Adjustment refers to measures or actions taken to provide a student with a disability or with an illness or injury, the same educational opportunities as everyone else. In order to be reasonable, adjustments must be appropriate for that person, must not create undue hardship for GOTAFE, and must be allowable within rules defined by the training package.
If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability, injury or medical condition, please contact the Student Success Team and they will work with you and your trainers to negotiate the applicable reasonable requirements. They will also support you in developing an Education Access Plan, outlining the approved reasonable adjustments.
Accessibility support
You can use the tools embedded in MS Office programs to convert text to audio or to enlarge text, if required, and Recite ME on goLearn or our public website for similar support.
Studiosity
Many students are balancing TAFE with work or family commitments, which means studying often happens after hours. So, what do you do when you have a question?
Studiosity gives you access to online tutoring sessions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can get answers to your questions even if it’s after hours. Whether you’re struggling to understand an assignment question, or need some advice about referencing, the Studiosity tutors can help.
Skills and Jobs Centres
Skills & Jobs Centres are a one-stop shop for anyone looking for career planning advice. The centres are Government-funded, and you don’t have to be a GOTAFE student to get advice and support.
They work across the community, supporting businesses, individuals, and community organisations with expert advice about training and employment.
The Careers Advisors provide confidential advice, perform expert skills assessment, share job hunting tips, and assist anyone looking to up-skill or re-skill through professional training.
Drop in to our Shepparton, Wangaratta,
Benalla, Wallan or Seymour locations, email skillsandjobs@gotafe.vic.edu.au or send an enquiry to find out how we can help you reach your career goals.
TAFE Specialist Employment Partnerships - TSEP
The TSEP program provides specialist employment support for TAFE students with disability by assisting them to access employment opportunities that match their individual skillset and qualifications.
TSEP provides access to free on-campus employment services who can assist in sharpening your resume, improving your interview skills and building confidence to discuss your disability with employers.
If you have a disability or medical condition and are interested in developing skills to become work-ready, speak with the Equitable Learning team, drop in to one of the Skills and Jobs Centres or email skillsandjobs@gotafe.vic.edu.au.
Student Wellbeing
The team primarily responsible for providing you with confidential and personalised support is called Student Wellbeing. The Student Wellbeing team is made up of the following teams:
- Student Wellbeing
- Student Experience
- Reconnect
- Student Life
Student Wellbeing Advisors
Student Wellbeing Advisors offer free support for counselling issues to GOTAFE students. You can speak to a Student Wellbeing Advisor face-to-face on campus or set up a phone or virtual appointment.
GOTAFE Student Wellbeing Advisors are not experts in your life. They use a coaching approach to help you explore the issues, find your strengths & resources, work with you to create a plan to move forward and support you along your journey.
Student Wellbeing Advisors can assist with:
- Personal or family issues
- Relationship issues
- Grief and loss
- Work-related issues
- Study-related issues
- Time management and goal setting
- Mental health issues, such as Depression and Anxiety
- Promotion of health and wellbeing
- Drug and Alcohol problems
- And any other issues or general concerns.
If our Student Wellbeing Advisors are unable to assist you, they’ll refer you to another service that can help. Send us an email to self-refer.
Your information and anything you say to your counsellor is confidential, except in situations where you or someone else is at significant risk of harm. Please feel free to discuss confidentiality with your counsellor if you have any concerns.
Student Wellbeing AdvisorsStudent Experience Team
Transitioning into study can be a big challenge for individuals and families. Most of us have many things going on in our lives and it can become difficult to stay dedicated to study.
This is where our Student Experience Team can help. Student Experience Advisors have many programs and services that can assist students along their journey. They can help you build life skills, set goals for your future and keep you connected to your community, so you have all the support you need to succeed.
The Student Experience Advisors are all qualified in their field of expertise and can help with issues impacting your studies, such as:
- Finding study difficult
- Family problems
- Homelessness and financial hardship
- Centrelink issues
- Time management
- Course payment plans
- Issues within the classroom
- Advocacy
- Relationships & more!
All your interactions with Student Experience Advisors are free and confidential, except in situations where you or someone else is at significant risk of harm.
The Student Experience Advisors are accessible though all campuses, and by phone, email or virtual appointments for students studying remotely, online or those who are in more remote areas.
Apprenticeship Support
Apprenticeship Support Officers give guidance to all apprentices aged 15 to 24 in the first year of their apprenticeship. They offer advice on personal and workplace issues. Apprentice Support Officers are located within various regions around Victoria. If you are in need of support from an Apprentice Support Officer, simply send them an email or contact your nearest Student Experience Advisor.
Student Support
Disability Services
We're committed to providing equal access for all our students and aim to ensure that students with a disability or medical condition have the assistance they need to access and be successful in their chosen course of study.
We provide support for a range of ability levels, including but not limited to:
- Physical disability
- Mental health conditions
- Visual impairments
- Deafness or hearing loss
- Intellectual disability
- Learning disability
- Medical and neurological conditions.
Our Equitable Learning Service helps you to access the adjustments you need to be successful in your studies.
Equitable Learning Support
Our Equitable Learning Service supports people with diagnosed disability and medical conditions that impact their ability to be successful in their study. Our Equitable Learning Advisor will meet with you to discuss how your condition impacts your study and will work with you, your trainer and other key people to explore reasonable adjustments, assistive technologies, and other supports that will make it possible for you to achieve both independence and success.
Equitable Learning aim to ensure that appropriate strategies for participation, engagement and successful learning are put in place.
Get assistance with Equitable Learning SupportSome supports include:
- Assistance with your course application and enrolment
- Orientation to campus facilities
- Adaptive technology, such as Text to Speech programs
- Ergonomic chairs
- Computer accessories
- Alternative formatting
- Liaison with teachers/coordinators
- Assessment accommodations
- Provision of sign interpreters
- Liaising with external agencies
- Classroom participation assistance
- Tutorial assistance
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
At GOTAFE we value supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in a culturally safe and respectful environment. We have an Aboriginal support team who are committed to empowering students and community on their journey, through education and training, to a culturally safe pathway to success.
The Koorie Unit team is available to support, advocate for, and on behalf of students and the community to achieve effective and sustainable education and training outcomes. Please contact the Koorie Unit for more details koorieunit@gotafe.vic.edu.au
Multicultural support
GOTAFE is proud of our multicultural student body and strive to provide safe and culturally appropriate support and advice to all students from a culturally and linguistically diverse community. Our Multicultural Centre has a strong relationship with the Goulburn Valley multicultural community. To seek support or to offer volunteer peer support to our multicultural students, please contact the Multicultural Centre on the Fryers Street campus.
Volunteer Tutor Scheme
Our English Language Education students are able to access the Volunteer Tutor Scheme (VTS), offered by GOTAFE as part of our Adult Migrant English Program. The VTS places students with volunteer tutors to help with English, settle into the community, and gain an understanding of Australian society and culture. If you are interested in accessing this program, on average for one hour per week, for a minimum of six months, please get in contact with Susana Diaz Merino at sdiazmerino@gotafe.vic.edu.au.
Refugee Support
GOTAFE has partnered with Primary Care Connect to offer trauma-informed refugee supports for students who have experience being a refugee or asylum seeker. To book an appointment, please reach out to Student Wellbeing at studentwellbeing@gotafe.vic.edu.au
Student Programs
Positive Action towards Career Engagement (PACE) Mentoring
As proud members of the Australian Network on Disability, GOTAFE offers PACE Mentoring to students and community members. The PACE Mentoring Program connects students and jobseekers with disability with a mentor from industry. During the four-month program, mentors and mentees meet fortnightly to work on career goals and confidence building. If this is something that interests you, please get in touch via our Skills and Jobs Centres.
Hidden Disability Sunflower Program
Not everyone’s disability is visible. GOTAFE is proudly involved in the Hidden Disability Sunflower scheme. Wearing a sunflower lanyard makes you visible when you want to be, and indicates to our staff that you might need additional support, help, or a little bit more time. If this is something that interests you, feel free to get in contact with us at Equitable Learning at equitablelearning@gotafe.vic.edu.au.
Student Gender Affirmation Support
GOTAFE supports and affirms transgender and gender-diverse students to be who they are on campus. Every gender affirmation process is unique – but we can help with name changes on IT systems, ensuring facilities are suitable, including bathrooms, working with you to procure uniforms, and case managing the affirmation process, including communicating with class and relevant training. If you would like this support, please reach out to StudentSuccess@gotafe.vic.edu.au
GOHELP
GOHELP is a new initiative that the IT Trainers introduced to the Certificate III Information Technology course. The Store is run by students giving them real world experience. We are looking to support GOTAFE staff and students and the local community in the following areas -
- Provide computer repairs.
- Update and fix virus’.
- Training opportunities for business and community members on software and devices.
We are currently operating out of the Fryers Street Library on Thursdays from 9am to 1pm. Come and pay us a visit.
Other Support Services
A comprehensive list of all community support services round your campus is available in the Student Lounge on goLearn.
In addition to GOTAFE’s student support services there are many other options available to help you.
Lifeline
lifeline.org.au | 13 11 14
24-hour crisis support.
Beyondblue
beyondblue.org.au | 1300 224 636
Information and support to help achieve the best possible mental health, whatever your age or wherever you live.
Black Dog Institute
Enabling mentally healthier lives through innovations in science, medicine, education, public policy and knowledge translation.
Headspace
headspace.org.au | (03) 9027 0100
Localised, free information and support about mental health and wellbeing.
Touchbase
Information, support and services for LGBTQI Australians.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health
embracementalhealth.org.au | (02)6285 3100
Empowering Australians from multicultural backgrounds to embrace mental health and wellbeing.
QLife
Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm–midnight AEST)
Qlife Online chat (3pm–midnight AEST)
A national service that aims to keep LGBTQI communities supported and connected.
SANE Australia
sane.org | 1800 187 263
Supporting the mental health of Australians affected by complex mental illnesses.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line
1800 806 292
A statewide confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. 24 hours, 7 days a week.
1800 RESPECT
1800respect.org.au | 1800 737 732
Confidential information, counselling and support for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Suicide Call Back Service
suicidecallbackservice.org.au | 1300 659 467
Immediate and professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling for people who are affected by suicide.
Kids Helpline
kidshelpline.com.au | 1800 551 800
Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
The Butterfly Foundation
thebutterflyfoundation.org.au | 1800 334 673
Support for Australians experiencing eating disorders and negative body issues, their family and friends.
Mensline
mensline.org.au | 1300 789 978
Telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.