MyLegal Mate, launched in and funded by City of Sydney, along with Study NSW and the Fair Work Ombudsman, will provide interactive videos and access to legal advice in six languages through an app developed by experiential learning company Pactera.

“International students will be armed with information about their rights”

“This is an innovative way to ensure international students can get instant access to tailored legal information and be empowered to take greater control if problems occur,” said Sean Stimson, head of Redfern Legal Centre’s International Student Service.

“By downloading the app on enrolment, international students will be armed with information about their rights before they start their course, with the ultimate aim of preventing issues arising while they are in Australia.”

Available to education providers through an annual subscription, the app will be free for students and cover topics including employment, housing, sexual assault and academic disputes.

“International students enhance our city by contributing to Sydney’s diversity and strengthening our global connections,” said Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore.

“Being able to attract and nurture the best candidates from around the world is an investment in our city’s future. That’s why we’ve supported this innovative information resource, and look forward to it helping students from all backgrounds.”

Redfern Legal Centre, which provides free in-person legal advice to disadvantaged members of the community, has been active within the international education space since 2011, especially around the issue of workplace exploitation.

A boon period for the organisation, Stimson was awarded the NSW Human Rights Medal for his work helping the state’s international student cohort in February 2019.

NSW currently hosts 260,000 international students.