1. Free Legal Protection (ISEALP)

The most powerful tool at the Hub is the International Student Employment and Accommodation Legal Program (ISEALP).

• The Situation: If your landlord is threatening to evict you for being behind on rent, you have legal rights in Victoria.
• The Help: The Hub provides free, confidential legal advice from lawyers who specialize in the Residential Tenancies Act. They can help you negotiate a “Repayment Plan” with your landlord or represent you if the matter goes to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal).
• 2026 Tip: Never move out just because a landlord tells you to. You usually require an official “Notice to Vacate,” and the Hub’s lawyers can verify if that notice is even valid.
  
  

2. “Cost-Shifting” with Emergency Vouchers

While the Hub may not pay the $500 you owe in rent, they can provide Material Aid to free up your remaining cash.

• The Strategy: By providing you with supermarket vouchers (Coles/Woolworths) or emergency food hampers, the Hub reduces your weekly grocery bill to $0.
• The Result: You can then redirect the money you would have spent on food toward your overdue rent.
  
  

3. Referral to the “Housing Specialist”

In 2026, the Study Melbourne Hub employs dedicated caseworkers who act as a bridge to larger Victorian charities.

• The Connection: They can provide a formal “Referral Letter” to organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, or St Vincent de Paul.
• The Benefit: These charities often have specific “Crisis Housing Funds” that are much easier to access if you have been “verified” by a Study Melbourne caseworker first.
  
  

4. Advocacy for University Hardship Grants

If you are a student at UniMelb, Monash, or RMIT, the Hub can help you document your situation for a University Student Bursary.

• The Grant: These non-repayable grants (up to $10,000 in some cases) are specifically designed for “unforeseen financial hardship” like a sudden rental hike.
• The Support: A support letter from a Study Melbourne caseworker can significantly strengthen your application when you submit it to your university’s financial aid office.
  
  

5. 2026 “Action Plan” if Rent is Overdue

1. Contact the Hub Immediately: Call 1800 056 449 or visit 17 Hardware Lane (9 AM – 5 PM, Mon-Fri).
2. Request a “Support Consultation”: Ask to speak with a caseworker about “Accommodation Hardship.”
3. Bring Your Lease: Bring a copy of your rental agreement and any messages/emails from your landlord.
4. Be Transparent: Tell the caseworker exactly how many days/weeks you are behind.