What is included in SSAF?

SSAF is student money. It is paid by almost every student at the University and supports valuable services and delivery partners, including:

• Employability programs
• Student wellbeing
• Student engagement and inclusion
• Study support
• Food relief
• Student‑led organisations
• Legal advice and financial counselling

Each year, students are consulted to understand their experiences with these services and their priorities for the future. If you’re interested in attending, please complete the brief form below and select the timeslots that best suit you. All students who participate will receive a $50 voucher.

Focus group sessions:

• Monday, 29 July, 3:30pm – 5:00pm
• Friday, 31 July, 11:00am – 12:30pm
• Monday, 3 August 2:00pm – 3:30pm
• Tuesday, 4 August 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Send in your expression of interest before 11:59pm, Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Places are limited, and participants will be selected to ensure a diverse and representative mix of students.
For any questions, contact studentpartnership@latrobe.edu.au

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A new semester is here! Whether you’re returning to campus or starting at La Trobe for the first time, taking a few minutes to get organised now can make your first weeks much smoother.

Here’s your Semester 2 checklist.

1. Make sure you’re enrolled

Before classes begin, double-check your enrolment in StudentOnLine and make sure your subjects match your course requirements in the Handbook. While you’re there, it’s also a good idea to check your personal and emergency contact details are up to date.

2. Plan your Orientation

Orientation is your chance to meet your teaching staff, connect with other students and discover the support services available throughout your studies.

Across our campuses you’ll find:

• Course Meet & Greets
• Starting Strong sessions
• Support Services Expo and Showcase
• International Meet & Greets
• Student association events, clubs and free activities

Use the Orientation Planner to build your personalised schedule before you arrive.

3. Log into the LMS

Before your first class, spend a few minutes exploring your subjects in the Learning Management System (LMS) or read this handy LMS guide.

Check for:

• subject learning guides
• assessment information
• announcements from your teaching team
• lecture and Zoom links (if you’re studying online)

Getting familiar with your LMS subjects before Week 1 will help you hit the ground running.

4. Know where you’re going

Save yourself the first-day stress by checking your timetable and locating your classrooms before classes begin.

If you’re studying on campus get to know your campus maps, or take some time during Orientation to explore the buildings you’ll be using most. Online students can also join many Orientation activities and everyone can access on-demand resources.

5. Set yourself up for success

A little planning now can make a big difference later.

Before Week 1:

• add key semester dates to your calendar
• note assessment deadlines as they’re released
• explore Library workshops and study support
• download any software you’ll need, including Zoom if you have online classes

6. Find your people

University is about more than lectures.

Orientation is the perfect opportunity to meet classmates, join a club or society, connect with your student organisation and discover what’s happening on your campus throughout the semester.

7. Know where to get help

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

If you have questions about enrolment, timetables, fees, results or student systems you can explore our handy Current Students FAQs.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? The friendly staff at ASK La Trobe can help. You can also access academic support, Wellbeing Services and Student Advising whenever you need them.

Your Semester 2 checklist

Before classes start, make sure you:

✓ Confirm your enrolment

✓ Plan your Orientation

✓ Check your timetable

✓ Log into the LMS

✓ Read your subject information

✓ Add important semester dates to your calendar

✓ Find out where to get support if you need it

A little preparation now means less stress later and more time to enjoy everything Semester 2 has to offer. See you on campus!

The post Semester 2 Survival Guide appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

The La Trobe Entrepreneurship Drop-In Series is a new, flexible way for students to explore entrepreneurship, build practical skills and connect with others, all in just one hour. 

Held at the Eagleworks Innovation Centre, these sessions are designed to be low-pressure and accessible. There’s no registration, no prerequisites and no need to commit to a full program.  

Just drop in, learn something new and take a step towards turning your ideas into action. 

What to expect 

Each session focuses on a different stage of the entrepreneurial journey, from generating ideas to pitching, prototyping and understanding how to bring a concept to life. 

You’ll take part in interactive activities, learn practical skills and hear real insights that can help you shape your thinking and build confidence. 

Whether you’ve got a side project, a business idea, or you’re just curious about startups, there’s something here for you. 

You don’t need to have a fully formed idea or any experience at all. Sometimes, all it takes is one hour to spark something bigger. 

Upcoming sessions 

Wednesday 15 July, 12:30-1:30pm  – From Concepts to Action (prototyping and validation) 

Wednesday 16 September, 12:30-1:30pm – Making It Real (IP, funding and next steps) 

Where: All sessions will be held in Room 103, Level 1, Eagleworks Innovation Centre – Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus 

No registration is required. You’re welcome to arrive at any time during the session and stay after for an optional 30-minute networking opportunity (bring your own lunch). 

The post Find out how an hour can turn your ideas into action appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Why should they come?

Open Day is event where future students can:

Chat with current students, alumni and teachers to get real insights and first-hand advice about courses and campus life

Tour the campus and facilities either self-guided or as part of a tour and get a feel for accommodation and teaching spaces

Discover placement and work-based opportunities that set La Trobe apart

Experience La Trobe Uni life with events and activities to see it all in action

Bonus: Win a $1000 gift card!
Everyone who registers and attends Open Day goes into the draw to win one of ten $1000 gift cards*. So, if you know someone who’s curious about uni life, this is a great reason to get them to register!

*Terms and Conditions apply.

Open Day dates:

• Melbourne (Bundoora): Sunday 2 August, 10am – 4pm
• Shepparton: Sunday 9 August, 9am – 2pm
• Mildura: Wednesday 12 August, 3pm – 6pm
• Albury-Wodonga: Sunday 16 August, 9am – 2pm
• Bendigo: Sunday 23 August, 9am – 2pm

Spread the word

As a current student, you know what makes La Trobe special. Whether it’s a friend considering their next steps, a sibling exploring study options or a curious parent, everyone is welcome at Open Day! Share the Open Day link, encourage them to register and maybe even come along with them.

The post Share the La Trobe love and invite a friend to Open Day appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

If you didn’t get the grades you wanted, you might feel a range of emotions, from worry and fear, to sadness, guilt or feeling left out. All of these are normal emotions to feel and can be necessary for the healing process, but there are some things you can do help process this.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to go through it alone – there are a range of Wellbeing Services available to you, and we recommend making the most of them.

Don’t panic and be kind to yourself

You aren’t the only one who didn’t receive the grade they wanted. It may feel like the end of the world now, but it’s important to be kind to yourself. It can be helpful to think of how you would respond to a friend who didn’t get the mark they wanted. Would you be hard on them? The answer is probably no. Try pretending you were that friend and think about what you would say to make them feel better. Now, say it to yourself.

Don’t underestimate how much it can help to talk to someone, whether that’s a friend, family member or a professional. It’s okay to need some extra help, especially during tough times. All La Trobe students can access free, caring and effective support through our counselling and mental health services.

Your grades don’t define your success

Success is not a straight line. Think of it as a squiggly line that goes up and down all over the place, but ultimately trends in a positive direction. Without some failure or hard times, it’s difficult to grow.

Your grades don’t define you

For some, grades are important. For others, grades are just a small part of their life. Regardless of your relationships with your grades, your grades don’t define you. There’s more to life than your grades, and there are so many other things about you that matter.

Think about all the other qualities you bring to the world: how much you care about your friends/family/partner, your kindness to others, your loyalty or passion, your hobbies and your sense of humour. Your achievements exist outside of academics – there are so many areas you can be successful in, and you deserve to recognise yourself for that.

Map out your options

If your results have changed your plans, you might feel like your options have been taken away from you. It can be helpful to sit down and write down all the potential paths you could take from here, whether that be talking to your course coordinators, choosing an alternative course, additional training or retaking your course.

Write your options down so that you can see them all in front of you and plan from there. You might find there are more options than you thought, and you can think your next steps through more clearly when it’s written down.

You don’t have to do it alone – get in touch with ASK La Trobe for one-on-one support looking into what options are available to you.

Learn from it (but do it with joy)

Try to look at the situation as something you can learn from and something that can help you grow and add to your repertoire of life experiences. Ask yourself:

• What can I learn from this?
• What could I do differently next time?
• Do I need to take proactive steps now to avoid it happening again?

Write down the answers and try to act based on what you have learned.

Remain ambitious

Don’t let disappointment hold you back from what you want to do. Take your courage, strength and ability to bounce back from disappointment and use these valuable assets to steer you into whatever you want to do in the future. 

The post How to handle failure or disappointment at results time appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

This year marks a significant milestone, celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC Week. For five decades, the week has honoured and elevated First Nations voices, cultures and resilience, while providing all Australians with the opportunity to participate in events, deepen their understanding and celebrate the world’s oldest continuing living cultures.

The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, celebrates the strength, leadership and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the past five decades, while looking ahead to the future. The theme recognises the Elders, organisers, artists, activists and communities whose leadership has shaped NAIDOC into a powerful platform for truth-telling, cultural celebration and community pride. It also acknowledges the next chapter of NAIDOC will continue to be led by First Nations communities.

NAIDOC Week is a time to embrace Indigenous Australians’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of our national heritage; to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue; and to help foster a society where the contributions of Indigenous people are fully valued and respected.

At La Trobe, we remain committed to advancing reconciliation through education, research and meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities. We will continue to implement our Indigenous Strategy, support our Gabra Biik, Wurruwila Wutja Indigenous Research Centre, and work alongside our Elders Council to strengthen Indigenous leadership and outcomes across the University.

A list of events being held around the country is available on the official NAIDOC Week website. The University will also present events across our campuses during Indigenous Week at La Trobe in August. Details will be announced soon.

The University is proud to provide pathways and opportunities for Indigenous students, support our Indigenous staff and undertake research and engagement that benefits the Indigenous communities connected to our campuses. As we celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week, we reaffirm our commitment to listening, learning and walking together to help build a more just, equitable and inclusive future.

The post National NAIDOC Week appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Just a 10-minute walk from the Agora, the 30 hectare Wildlife Sanctuary and the connected Nangak Tamboree Eco corridor are packed with native plants, waterways and wildlife. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, emus, echidnas and geckos, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Melbourne.

It’s also a great spot for a study session or group catchup, with quiet spots dotted throughout the sanctuary. You could try Yellowbox Hut, Ironbarks Hut, and BioShack for a study group, check out the map for their locations.

Plus, studying outdoors can boost your focus and memory, while spending time in nature helps reduce stress and spark creativity.

So if you’re feeling stuck, stressed or glued to your screen, take a break and head to the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary. A little nature might be exactly what you need to reset and refocus.

Follow the signs from outside the library, they will lead you through Car Park 8 and to take you to a place of greenery and bird song! The perfect way to recharge.

The post Discover a hidden gem at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Have you ever opened your LinkedIn, looked at your profile picture and thought, “I’ll fix it later,”? Only to realise it’s still a cropped group photo, or a low-quality selfie, or a photo that no longer matches the professional image you’re trying to build. You’re not alone.

For many students, building a professional presence often sits somewhere between assignments, part-time work, exams and everything else university life brings. It’s important, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

That was exactly why La Trobe University’s Employability Team hosted the recent LinkedIn Headshot Session.

What seemed like a simple opportunity to get a professional photo quickly became something much bigger.

It was a chance for students to invest in themselves, learn about employability resources offered by Career Hub, and get useful advice from Career Ready Ambassadors.

A different kind of queue

On 19 May, students queued between classes, study sessions, assignment deadlines and lunch breaks.

Some arrived knowing exactly why they were there. Others stopped after spotting the setup and decided to participate.

One of the teachers in my class directed us towards
this event. professional
headshots are pretty expensive apparently, so I thought I’d jump on it!”
Ella – Media & Communications

What connected everyone was a shared understanding that professional opportunities don’t always begin with a job application. They begin with preparation! The LinkedIn Headshot Session, organised by La Trobe University’s Employability Team, created an opportunity for students to invest in building their professional online presence.

By the end of the session, 83 students had their professional headshots taken.

A community effort and confidence on a coat hanger

One of the standout features of the event wasn’t the camera; it was the suit jackets.

Not every student owns professional attire, and that shouldn’t be a barrier to building a professional presence. To help make the experience more accessible, the La Trobe Business School staff donated 10 suit jackets, with a further three donated from across the University.

Of the students who attended, approximately 70 per cent borrowed a jacket for their headshot allowing them to feel more confident, professional, and ready to put their best foot forward.

Beyond the camera

One of the highlights of the event as a Career Ready Ambassador was speaking with students and recording their video testimonials.

From placement and internship applications to graduate aspirations, everyone had a different story, but a shared goal: taking the next step in their career journey.

While some students were already familiar with Career Hub, others were discovering its resources for the first time.

Career development doesn’t always happen in lecture theatres or textbooks. It happens in conversations, through connections and when you decide to be curious and put yourself out there

More than a LinkedIn photo

For students, the session wasn’t just about getting a new LinkedIn photo. It was about being intentional in their approach to becoming an early career professional. Career readiness is about making decisions consistently over time – attending a workshop, reviewing or developing your resume, engaging in conversations, updating your LinkedIn profile and having a professional headshot photo taken.

To support you to build a professional LinkedIn profile, check out these resources: Rock Your LinkedIn Profile and Add a Photo and Stand Out.

What’s next?

For many students, the LinkedIn Headshot Session was a reminder that career development doesn’t always happen in lecture theatres or textbooks. It happens in conversations, through connections and when you decide to be curious and put yourself out there.

If you missed out on the LinkedIn photo shoot this time, don’t worry! Book in for the next LinkedIn Headshot session happening at the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus on Wednesday 12 August.

The photoshoot will coincide with the Employability Expo which will bring together students, employers, career resources and opportunities all in one place. Come along and speak to employers, industry representatives and have your LinkedIn headshot taken at the same time!

The post Why a professional LinkedIn headshot was the best freebie on campus appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

With the opening of the new La Trobe Health Clinic at the Bundoora campus, there has been an update to parking arrangements to better support community access.

What’s changed?

A section of Car Park 9 (previously available for all-day parking) is now:

• 2-hour parking only
• Reserved for Health Clinic patients and visitors

(See map below for more details)

Why this matters

The new Health Clinic is now open and providing a range of allied health services to the community, including physiotherapy, psychology and speech pathology.

To make sure patients and visitors can easily access appointments, short-term parking is needed close to the clinic.

What this means for students

• Some spaces in Car Park 9 are no longer available for all-day student parking
• The 2-hour limit applies in designated areas
• You’ll need to plan ahead and use other all-day student parking options on campus if you’re attending classes for longer periods

These changes help ensure that patients visiting the clinic can access care easily, while also supporting hands-on learning opportunities for La Trobe students.

Please check signage when parking and allow extra time to find a space if needed.

Map of Car Park 9 changes

The post Parking update for Melbourne (Bundoora) students appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

1. Visit the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary

Reconnect with nature right on campus! The La Trobe Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden gem where you can walk among native flora and fauna, volunteer or even join guided tours. It’s a peaceful way to unwind and learn more about local biodiversity. Located at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus. Don’t forget to wear something warm!

2. Complete online workshops

Rather than doom scrolling on the couch, why not use the time to sharpen your skills? La Trobe offers a range of free online workshops through the CareerHub and library. Topics range from learning how to reference and assignment writing to managing your time and improving your presentation skills. Check them out!

3. Explore the La Trobe Art Institute

If you’re near Bendigo, drop by the La Trobe Art Institute for exhibitions featuring contemporary Australian artists. It’s a great way to get inspired and support the arts.

4. Catch up on career planning

Use the break to update your resume, look for a job, polish your LinkedIn profile or book a virtual appointment with a Career Ready advisor. You can also explore internship opportunities or prep for upcoming grad roles. Visit the recently revamped CareerHub for all your career needs.

5. Join a student club

Many student clubs and societies use the break to hang out or plan ahead for the semester. Reach out to your favourite club, sign up and get involved.

6. Take a campus walk or picnic

Whether you’re at Melbourne (Bundoora), Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga or another campus, take advantage of the open spaces. Grab a few friends, pack some snacks and find a nice, sunny spot to enjoy a laid-back picnic.

7. Volunteer or give back

Semester break is a great time to volunteer either on campus or in your local community. Check out opportunities through Volunteering at La Trobe with the La Trobe Leaders Program or connect with local organisations that align with your interests.

8. Study like a pro

La Trobe offers a range of tools and spaces to help you study smarter and the semester break is a great time to catch up or get ahead on your studies. Check out what’s available:

9. Get active with La Trobe Sport

With a range of fun health and fitness activities at both our Bundoora and Bendigo Campuses, you will find a huge range of classes from HIIT style training to yoga as well as active challenges and personal training. Plus we have a fully equipped gym with a range of cardio, functional and strength zones. Are you ready to move with us? The semester break is a perfect time to start.

10. Take time out for yourself

Whatever you choose to do, remember that breaks are for balance. Whether you’re upskilling, exploring or simply resting, make sure it’s something that brings you joy and sets you up for a strong return. If things feel overwhelming or you just need that little extra support, there are a range of wellbeing supports on offer.

The post 10 ways to make the most of your semester break appeared first on MyLaTrobe.