PR-14-2025
31 July 2025, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne successfully hosted a Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) for Filipino international students on 31 July 2025 at the Consulate premises. Co-organized with the Filipino-Australian Student Council of Victoria (FASTCO), the event gathered around 60 participants and served as a practical guide for navigating life in Australia, with focused discussions on employment, immigration and legal support, health and safety, and community engagement.
This occasion also marked the first formal engagement of the new Philippine Consul General to Melbourne, Consul General Jesus S. Domingo, with the Filipino student community in Melbourne. In his keynote message, the Consul General Domingo introduced the concept of a Diplomatic-Academic-Commercial Community of Practice (DACCOP)—a platform promoting collaboration among Filipino individuals and institutions in international affairs, business, and research. He emphasized Melbourne’s role as a melting pot of global excellence and encouraged students to broaden their engagement beyond their immediate circles to build meaningful connections in Australian society. The DACCOP concept was warmly received by participants, several of whom expressed interest in developing sector-specific engagements under the initiative.
Consul Jan Sherwin P. Wenceslao provided an overview of the Consulate’s services and responsibilities, reaffirming its mission to serve as a support system for Filipino students abroad. He emphasized the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy and noted that the Consulate’s doors are always open to Filipinos in need of consular, legal, or social support.
FASTCO President Dasha Marice Uy outlined the organization’s key programs and strategic direction through 2027, highlighting the benefits of student-led advocacy, volunteerism, and inter-organizational cooperation. She shared how FASTCO continues to promote mental wellness, educational empowerment, and cultural belonging among Filipino students.
The seminar featured two thematic panel discussions. The first panel, on Cultural Integration, Legal Support, and Immigration Services, included Atty. Michelle Martinez of Whittlesea Community Connections and Mr. Gary Lee, International Education Lead at the City of Melbourne. Atty. Martinez discussed key legal issues affecting Filipino students, including visa concerns and legal remedies for discrimination and family violence. Mr. Lee emphasized Melbourne’s longstanding reputation as the world’s leading student city and presented a suite of resources available to international students such as Study Melbourne, The Couch, and the Maker’s Hub. He also introduced Filipino student volunteers Kirsten and Kate Nesas, who invited participants to the Filipino Buwan ng Wika celebration at the Couch on 14 August 2025.
The second panel on Work Rights, Employment, and Career Pathways featured Ms. Janeca Gross, Vice President for Victoria of the Australian-Philippine Business Council, and Ms. Florence Macusi Dato, a representative of the Migrant Workers Centre (MWC). Panelists explored challenges in navigating Australia’s labor system and workplace safety issues. The panel also introduced useful platforms such as Services Victoria and the Workplace Justice Visa, a new protective mechanism for temporary visa holders pursuing legal claims beyond visa expiry.
The Q&A session reflected the participants’ keen interest in navigating life as international students. Questions covered a range of topics, including student engagement, education and employment pathways, legal protections, and access to support services. Panelists provided clarifications on rights and responsibilities under Australian law, emphasizing the value of informed decision-making and community support. In response to a question on advocacy, Consul General Domingo reiterated the Consulate’s role in representing Filipino interests and encouraged greater civic participation and collaboration to help shape a more inclusive environment for overseas Filipinos.
The seminar also included a Filipino “turo-turo” merienda catered by Kafe Kusina, and a networking merienda cena hosted by Drom Bakery, a local Filipino-partnered artisan bakery. Attendees expressed enthusiastic feedback and interest in participating in future Consulate-led programs.
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne remains committed to supporting the Filipino international student community in Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, and to building deeper collaboration between Filipino institutions and the broader Australian society.
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