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For overseas students and travellers

First week in Australia: the English you need first.

Emergency phrases, government and support contacts for students, travellers and families (including schools and universities), and short polite phrases for your first weeks. Start with the emergency card, then save the rest.

Emergency phrasesGovernment and support contacts

In an emergency, call 000 (Triple Zero)

  • When you call 000, first say if you need police, fire or ambulance.
  • Ask for an interpreter and say the name of your language in English.
  • If you cannot get a signal on your mobile, dial 112. It connects you to the 000 service.
  • If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, call 106 (Text Emergency Call).

Source: Study Melbourne, Victorian Government. Other useful numbers it lists: Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26, Lifeline 13 11 14.

Calling 000

Use it
  • "Ambulance, please." / "Police, please." / "Fire, please."Say which service you need first.
  • "I need an interpreter. My language is [language]."Say the name of your language in English.
  • "I'm at [street], near [cross street]."Give an exact address or the nearest cross street.
  • "My phone number is ..."The operator may ask for it.
  • "Please send help. Someone is hurt."Speak slowly and follow the operator's instructions.

Everyday phrases for your first week

Every phrase below is polite and safe to use with anyone. Say them out loud, then try them in real life.

Arriving and getting around

Use it
  • "Where can I buy a SIM card?"
  • "Which platform is it for [place]?"
  • "Could you tell me when we get to [stop]?"
  • "Sorry, I'm lost. How do I get to [place]?"
  • "Does this take cards?" / "Can I tap?"

Asking for help

Use it
  • "Sorry, could you say that again?"
  • "Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?"
  • "Sorry, what does that mean?"
  • "Could you write that down for me?"
  • "Is there a pharmacy near here?"

Making friends

Use it
  • "Where are you from?"A friendly question between students.
  • "What are you studying?"
  • "Do you want to grab a coffee?"Casual and common.
  • "No worries."Often means "that is fine" or "you are welcome".
  • "Is this seat free?"

Government and support contacts

Tap a number to call on your phone. Checked on 8 November 2026. Numbers and hours change, so confirm on the official website if a call does not connect. Only 000 is for emergencies.

Language help and free English classes

Not confident in English on the phone? You can still get help.

  • Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)Free phone interpreter. Say your language in English, then ask for the service you want to call. Government agencies, schools and the Overseas Students Ombudsman use it. Source: Victoria Police
    131 450
  • Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)Free English classes (face to face, online or with a volunteer tutor) for eligible migrants aged 18 and over who speak little or no English. Ages 15 to 17 may be able to join. If you arrived after 1 October 2020, register within 6 months. Find a provider on the Department of Home Affairs website.Source: Services Australia

Health

If it is not an emergency, these lines are free to ask about. Call 000 for an emergency.

  • healthdirect (national)24-hour health advice.Source: healthdirect
    1800 022 222
  • Nurse-on-Call (Victoria only)Registered nurse, 24 hours a day, every day. For an interpreter, call TIS on 131 450 and ask for Nurse-on-Call. Queensland uses 13HEALTH. Other states use healthdirect.Source: healthdirect
    1300 60 60 24
  • Poisons Information Centre24 hours a day.Source: Study Melbourne
    13 11 26
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurersCall your own insurer: ahm 134 148, Allianz Global Assistance 13 67 42, Bupa 1300 884 235, CBHS International Health 1300 174 538, Medibank 1300 561 012, nib OSHC 1800 775 204.Source: Study Melbourne

Feeling low or in crisis

These are free support lines. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.

Police, when it is not an emergency

Use 000 for an emergency, a crime in progress, an injury or a danger to the public.

  • Police Assistance Line (Victoria)Report non-urgent crimes and events, or ask general questions. Do not use it in an emergency. For an interpreter, call TIS on 131 450 and ask for 131 444. Other states and territories have their own police contact details, so check your state police website.Source: Victoria Police
    131 444

Work rights and money

International students and visa holders have workplace rights. Ask before you sign or accept pay that seems wrong.

  • Fair Work OmbudsmanFree advice about pay and conditions, including for temporary visa holders. Ask for a free interpreter. Check the number on the Fair Work Ombudsman website before you call.Source: SBS Gujarati
    13 13 94

University and college

Your own university or college has an international student support team, so search for its name plus "international student support". These contacts help if something goes wrong with a provider.

  • Overseas Students OmbudsmanFree. Investigates problems with private education and training providers, such as fees and refunds, transfers, course progress, attendance, cancelled enrolment and wrong advice from an education agent. Raise it with your provider first. Open 9am to 5pm AEDT, Monday to Friday. You can complain in your language, and the Ombudsman pays for the interpreter (call TIS on 131 450).Source: Overseas Students Ombudsman
    1300 362 072
  • Public university complaintsThe Overseas Students Ombudsman covers private providers. For a public university, ask the university first, then check which state or territory ombudsman can help.
  • Study Melbourne counselling (Victoria)Online and phone counselling for international students in Victoria. See Study Melbourne for details.Source: Study Melbourne

Schools and enrolling children

Enrolling a child? Contact the school first. Staff can book an interpreter for you.

  • Victoria, government schoolsFind your zone and designated neighbourhood school with Find my School, and contact the school before you apply. You will need proof of your child's name and date of birth (birth certificate or passport) and an Immunisation History Statement. Copies are fine. School staff can arrange an interpreter.Source: Victorian Government
  • New South Wales, government schoolsSchools check the passport or ImmiCard through VEVO, hold an enrolment interview (with an interpreter if needed) and assess English language needs. TIS (131 450) is free for schools.Source: NSW Department of Education
  • Northern Territory, international studentsInternational Services, Department of Education. Apply through the International Education Office. Under 18s must live with a parent, guardian or relative over 21, or in approved homestay.Source: NT Government
    +61 8 8901 1336
  • Other states and territoriesSearch for your state or territory Department of Education and "enrol", or ask your nearest government school.

Phrases for these phone calls

Starting the call

Use it
  • "Hello, I'm an international student."
  • "Could I speak to someone in [language], please?"
  • "I need an interpreter. My language is [language]."

Schools

Use it
  • "I'd like to enrol my child, please."
  • "What documents do I need to bring?"
  • "Could you arrange an interpreter?"

Understanding and checking

Use it
  • "Could you repeat that, please?"
  • "Could you spell that for me?"
  • "Can I get that in writing?"

Keep going

Public transport in your state

Choose your state to see the name of your travel card and phrases to use.

Say it in your state

Understand Australian slang

Learn the words you will hear in classrooms, cafes and share houses.

Melbourne slang guide

Teaching this?

Use the print button for a handout, or open the ready-made teacher pack.

Teacher pack