OISH

Home Away From Home

We are the first international student hub that is led and organised by international students.

Students
Contributors
A stylized map of Australia filled with colorful 3D shapes, resembling books, in purple, yellow, and blue colors, with a line graph overlay.

About OISH

A community for international students and by international students

Oz International Students Hub (OISH) is a hub run for and by international students leading welcome, support, and justice initiatives in NSW.

A ‘HOME AWAY FROM HOME,' OISH organises campaigns, projects, and activities for a welcoming, supportive, and just international student experience in Australia. The Hub creates a community of care and support for students and links them up to broader Australian society in safe and mutually transformative ways.

Two women sitting at a table, engaged in a conversation, one smiling and the other with back to camera, in an indoor setting.

Our Story

The Oz International Student Hub (OISH) was officially launched in May 2021 with representation from the Local and State government, the education sector, and civil society organisations with coverage from Sydney Morning Herald and SBS News. During the launch, we welcomed the support of Investment NSW through a grant of $120k for an Intake Support Service run by Sydney Community Forum.

The Hub is a partnership project between Sydney Community Forum (SCF) and Sydney Alliance through an initial community grant of AUD 100,000 from the City of Sydney. The hub functions both online and in physical space, through an in-kind donation by Red Hill Education in Surry Hills in Sydney.

OISH is endorsed by over 40 civil society organisations across NSW.

International students are a vibrant and diverse community. OISH creates a space for international students to connect and feel a sense of belonging.

For International Students

Student Voices

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a beige blazer, speaking into a microphone at a podium during a presentation.

"OISH was the space I turned to in my hour of need - I intended to stay engaged as we build power and opportunity."

Dr. Sarah Jafari

Woman with curly hair and glasses smiling in a recording studio
A woman reading from a black binder in front of a presentation slide at an event for Oz International Students Hub.

"I am a very proud international student who has had more jobs than barbie because this is the essence of who we are, resilient people that are willing to work, study and travel really far in order to get the right opportunity."

Tatiana Maria Arévalo Gonzalez

"In that time of need, the OISH community gave me confidence and the power to act."

Anisha Pokharel

For Contributors & Partners

Be a part of the collaborative network to transform the Education sector and to create the best experience for international students in NSW.

The Oz International Student Hub (OISH) serves as a central hub for social inclusion, access to housing and workplace rights, mental health, government services, community belonging and volunteering opportunities. The focus of the Hub is to grow connections and build a sense of community - by students, for students providing opportunities to support the International Education sector in NSW to engage dynamically with the community and its partners.

Logo with pink stripes and text that reads 'Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby'.
Logo of Addison Road Community Centre with colorful petal-like shapes and black text
Logo for 'SOMOS 21' with icons of Africa and a buffalo inside two red circles
Rotary International logo featuring a gearwheel with a central hub and rotary spokes
NSW Government Investment NSW logo with red lotus flower and blue text
A logo featuring a stylized tree with green and blue leaves above the word 'Anglicare' in black text.
Orange circle above the word 'Headspace' on a white background.
Illustration of houses with the text 'Neighborhood Matters' in blue
Logo of the Service Desk Australia (SDA) with the letters 'SDA' and 'NSW & ACT' underneath.
Logo of Multicultural NSW with a red lotus flower and blue text.
Australian Catholic University logo with shield and text
Logo of International College of Management Sydney with the letters CM S in large blue font and a shield emblem.
Red circular badge with the Melbourne Institute of Technology logo and text.
A colorful gold, green, and blue award trophy with a stylized dragon and Australian flag design.
Logo of the Australian College of Applied Psychology with the acronym ACAP in large blue letters and the full name in smaller text.
Logo of Harris Community Centre featuring a white letter 'H' within a circular design on a maroon background.
A stylized black, white, and red logo featuring a bird flying in front of a circular background with geometric shapes.
Logo of Opportunities Australia featuring a stylized blue map outline and the organization's name.
Logo with a hand cursor overlaying the Union Jack flag, and the text 'United For Colombia - Australia'
Text logo reading 'STUDY NSW' with the words 'Creative. Dynamic. Alive.' underneath in different colors.
Bupa logo with blue text and a heartbeat line
Medibank logo with red and blue text on a white background.
Logo with red and purple letters 'MM' and the text 'Migration & Recruitment' below.
A tattoo-style heart with angel wings, a crown, and a banner reading 'Love Over Hate' above the words 'Wayside Chapel' in bold black letters.
Australian Government Fair Work Ombudsman logo with coat of arms and text
NEAS logo with a checkmark and the words 'Quality Assurance in Education and Training'
Be a Contributor

Our Stakeholders

Civil Society Organisations

Logo of Arab Council Australia with an orange and black geometric design and Arabic and English text
Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) logo with stylized figures and text.
Logo of Tenants' Union of New South Wales with icons representing a handshake, house, key, and person.
Settlement Services International logo with a circular graphic divided into blue rays and a green section, accompanied by the text 'Settlement Services International'
Logo of the Asian Australian Alliance featuring a multicolored interconnected heart shape and red text.
Justice Peace Office logo with a cross and a dove in olive branch design.
Logo of Older Women's Network New South Wales with green circle and purple text 'OWN' in the center
Logo for Older Women's Network New South Wales (OWN) with green and purple colors.
Text graphic with 'UNITED WORKERS UNION' in bold red and white letters.
Logo of The Australian Egyptian Forum Council with a stylized mountain or pyramid design in orange and yellow, and the organization's name below in gold-colored text.
Logo for Overseas Students Ombudsman.
Commonwealth Bank logo with yellow diamond and black corner shape
Logo of ILSC Education Group with an orange circular design and text.
Colorful abstract dots forming a stylized globe above the text 'Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT'.
Logo of Kentbankan NSW Co-operative Bank includes red, blue, yellow stars, and stylized buildings.
Logo of the Philippine Amalgamated Medical Society Alliance featuring a caduceus symbol and the organization's name.
Shelter New South Wales logo with teal and gray text.
Vinnies logo with a stylized heart symbol.
Cumberland City Council logo with a stylized letter C in green, blue, and red, and the text 'Cumberland City Council' to the right.
Logo for English Australia with a colorful outline of Australia and words 'Quality', 'Support', 'Assurance' underneath
Logo of International Education Association Inc. (ISANA) with a stylized blue swoosh and black text
The University of Sydney logo with a shield and blue text

Government

Private Providers

Chaitra Hareesh (she/her)
Sydney Community Forum

David Barrow (he/him)
Lead Organiser,
Sydney Alliance

Hub Staff

Nirjala Pandey (she/her)
Sydney Community Forum

Gabriela Weiss (she/her)
Sydney Community Forum

View Staff Bio

Asha Ramzan (she/her)
Executive Officer,
Sydney Community Forum

Erika Katalbas (she/her)
Sydney Community Forum

Book an Appointment

Book a meeting with International Students Hub staff to understand how you and your organisation can get involved

Support OISH

Banking Details:
Bendigo Bank Account name: Sydney Community Forum Ltd
BSB: 633-000
Account No: 154 384 655

Important:
When donating, please add the description "OISH"

About SCF:
Sydney Community Forum Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered with ASIC and the Australian Charities & Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC). ACN: 001 231 134 | ABN: 64 001 231 134

Contact Us

Book Now

If you or anyone in your network would like to engage and work with OISH on existing or upcoming projects, please get in touch.

Email: projectofficer@scfonline.org.au
Phone: 0437 696 166