Booked a consultation? Here's how to prepare

Types of consultations you can choose from

When you book a consultation with one of our student advisors, you’ll have the option to select the kind of conversation you’d like to have.

Once you’ve chosen, you’ll be matched with a member of our team who is trained specifically for the type of university advice you need. Pretty neat, huh?

There are four different consultation types available, all of which are completely free:

What to expect from your consultation

A consultation through Open Universities Australia may sound a little daunting at face-value, but I like to remind the people I chat to that it's nothing more than a casual conversation with someone who’s just like you. In fact, the student advisors you talk to have often stood exactly where you stand today.

Your call is an ideal opportunity to get your future sorted by speaking with someone dedicated to helping you succeed. When else do you have access to that? It’s such a unique (and exciting) opportunity.

We’re simply here to give you advice on university and study options so you can succeed.

Booking your consultation

After choosing from our four consultation types, you’ll also select a date and time for your consultation.

That’s right, you have direct access to our calendars here at Open Universities Australia. This means that when we give you a buzz, you’ll be prepared and ready to answer any questions that arise.

Receiving your call

We’ll call as close to your booked time as we can. Your student advisor will then introduce themselves before getting to know a little more about you and your current situation and goals.

Depending on the type of consultation you’ve booked, they’ll then work through a series of questions to help.

You can expect your call to last for:

• 10-20 minutes if you’d like to chat about online study or course options broadly
• 40-60 minutes if you’d like to have a chat and then enrol over the phone
• 15-30 minutes if you’re a new student looking for advice ahead of your course starting
• 10-20 minutes if you’re an existing student looking at re-enrolling

These are a guideline only. Call times may vary.

Common misconceptions about student advisor consultations

You might think you know exactly how a consultation goes, particularly if you’ve booked consultations with different businesses in the past.

But I guarantee you, your experience with Open Universities Australia will be a little different (and in my opinion, a lot better!).

Misconception #1: You need to know what you want to study

Thanks to the four consultation types available, there’s a conversation to suit wherever you are in your journey: not knowing what you’d like to study included.

You might be simply feeling out what online study entails – which is where I recommend the Study Discovery consultation in particular.

Misconception #2: You need to be ready to enrol

Some aspiring students put off booking a consultation until they feel they’re well and truly “ready” to enrol.

However, booking a consultation during the decision-making process is actually one of the most beneficial things you can do. It gives you a chance to discuss online study as a whole before you go down the route of enrolment.

Misconception #3: It’s a sales call in disguise

Your consultation is no sales call. It’s prompt, personalised guidance that’s unbiased, with no strings attached (and completely free).

Given we’re a not-for-profit here at Open Universities Australia, my colleagues and I want nothing more than to help you step closer towards your goals.

If that means enrolling during our conversation, great, we can help you do just that. If it means stepping away for further contemplation, we’re here to support that too.

How to prepare for your appointment

I like to remind people that they can answer their call exactly as they are. We’ll guide you through the entire conversation.

So, take a deep breath and relax – you're in the hands of people who help hundreds of aspiring learners like you each and every day.

Having said that, there are a few things you can do to get the most of your call with us. Carving out some time to properly explore study options on our website is one of them – this way you’ll be familiar with what appeals to you most.

You might also like to jot down any questions you have as you navigate around. What would you like clarified? What are you unsure of? What courses make you feel excited about the future?

Lastly, I always recommend choosing a quiet, calm space to take your call ahead of time. This might be your bedroom, or a quiet cafe nearby. If you work in an office, you could even book a meeting room.

The most important thing you can do, though? Remind yourself that you don’t need to have it all figured out before we call. Some butterflies are normal, but they’re not a sign of anything more than this: you’re taking the first step towards something that’s potentially lifechanging. That’s something to get excited about!

A consultation preparation checklist

☐ Explore the website 
Take the time to click around the Open Universities Australia website while you have time on your side. Try searching using different keywords that interest you, or click through the study areas one-by-one. 

☐ List out questions 
Write out any questions that come to mind. These may be related to higher education in general, like “How do you pay for fees?” or they might be course-specific, such as “Which one is more aligned with my goals?” 

☐ Choose a place 
Think through the locations at your disposal that will give you the best chance for a fruitful conversation. Somewhere quiet and without distraction is ideal. You might choose a space in your home, sit in a cafe, or book a meeting room.  

☐ Switch the self-talk 
Take the time to remind yourself that nerves are normal, but not a sign for concern. Remind yourself that you’re prioritising your future by answering this call. What could be more rewarding than that?

Need help with your university application? 

Booking a consultation is your next step. Our dedicated student advisors will help you get it sorted over the phone. Book your time now.  

FAQs about student advisor consultations