How We Can Help

We are here to help you navigate your way through University informally and formally.

Please get in touch as soon as possible if you have questions or need advice.

Outside hours support

Beyond Blue — offers 24/7 mental health support via 1300 224 636.
Lifeline — offers 24/7 crisis support via 13 11 14.
headspace — provides free or low-cost mental health and wellbeing services to people under 25.
Suicide Call Back Service — free counselling for anyone affected by suicide. 24/7 1300 659 467.

Wellbeing

Stay connected!

Check-in with your peers, colleagues, friends and family, and aim for at least one conversation every day (even if it is something you might normally just send them in a message).

Mental Health

UniMelb

Free Counselling and Psychological Services UniMelb (students/staff) Phone: +61 3 8344 6927.
UniMelb Health Service Phone: +61 (3) 8344 6904.
University's After Hours Mental Health Crisis Support Service: Phone: 1300 219 459 Text: 0480 079 188.
UniMelb - COVID-19 : managing stress and anxiety for students.

External

headspace – mental health support resource for young people aged 18–25 years old. You can chat to a counsellor for free on 1800 650 890 or connect with them via online.
Black Dog Institute – Resources for anxiety, stress and wellbeing.
RUOK – Stay connected.
Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health.
Lifeline offer free counselling via phone call on 13 11 14, or via text and online chat.

Physical Health

Look after yourself – Drink lots of water, eat balanced meals and get enough sleep.

Book a visit to your local GP for a check up.
Get outside. Go on an urban walk.
Join an UMSU Club and Society . Search under words such as "fitness" or "health".

General Wellbeing

Create a routine – Don’t burn yourself out! Set your study hours, and when they’re done, relax. Take "me" time.

Wellbeing Resources. via UniMelb
This Way Up free research-based online short course to manage stress.

Feeling unwell

DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, including a fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, or loss or change in sense of taste or smell – however mild, even if you have a negative rapid antigen test result. Bookmark this page for Unimelb students.
Unimelb students please follow this guide about getting tested for COVID-19 and what to do if you or someone you know tests positive, including notifying the University for support and advice.
Not Covid but still feeling unwell? Book a visit to your local GP for a check up.

Personal safety

It’s important to know that there is help available if you need to leave your home or accommodation to escape harm or violence. There may be financial pressure, tensions or a heightened sense of uncertainty and anxiety. No matter what the external stressors, violence should not be tolerated. You are not alone.

If you feel frightened or need advice, help or support, or a safe place to stay there are organisations that will provide assistance. If you are at immediate risk, call the police at 000. They are available 24/7.

Family violence courts are open and intervention orders are available. If you or a friend are suffering physical or sexual harm, please seek help or offer them support.

The UMSU Sexual Harm and Response Department works with the UMSU Advocacy and Legal services and can provide support with making complaints to the University, reporting to the police, and appropriate referrals to therapeutic services.

UniMelb Safety

UniSafe App - UniSafe for iOS or UniSafe for Android.
Contact University Security on 03 8344 6666.
University of Melbourne Safer Communities Program Phone: +61 3 9035 8675 or Email: safer-community@unimelb.edu.au.

External

Victorian Government’s Family and Violence Crisis Response
1800 Respect Phone: 1800 737 732 NRS: 1800 555 677 Interpreter: 13 14 50; Or load this app.
Safe Steps - Family Violence Response Centre. Live chat support from 9am-midnight, Mon-Fri and 24/7 phone support open every day of the year. Phone 1800 015 188. Email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au (a support worker will reply as soon as possible).
National confidential information, counselling and support service. Centres Against Sexual Assault Phone: 1800 806 292 or Email ahcasa@thewomens.org.au..
The Men’s Referral Service Phone: 1300 766 49 (24 hours – NSW & Tas / 8am-9pm). If you’re concerned about your own behaviour or you are causing harm to others, seek help. You can find more help on their website No to Violence.
Go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
The UMSU Legal Service can provide legal advice about family violence and intervention orders.

International students

Studying in Melbourne can be a wonderful experience for international students. However, there are challenges when coming to a new country to study.

Financial Support

Students experiencing hardship may want to talk to UMSU Legal about financial counselling.
International students may be able to obtain financial support in some circumstances from the Study Melbourne Student Centre.
The Australian Government funds The Australia Awards Scholarship program and provides opportunities for people from selected developing countries to study in Australia.

Migration

Visa assistance at Unimelb.
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Law Institute of Victoria’s Legal Referral Service offers free preliminary 30-minute appointments with a registered migration agent.

Friendships, Health and Welfare

UMSU Welfare has the Community Involvement Program where you can Volunteer and make connections.
Join one of the many Clubs and Societies to make connections.
Resources available on Study Well.

Academic

Sometimes you may need support regarding University issues. Remember we have UMSU Education Public (who build activist campaigns fighting for your rights on and off-campus) and Education Academic (who are the link between students and the academic and policy processes of the University) to help you.

Exams

Exams can be incredibly stressful but remember, they are designed for you to demonstrate what you have learned throughout the year, not to catch you out.

Exam tips.
Assessment and Result FAQs at Unimelb.

Complaints

Academic Complaints

Assessment disputes .
Make a report regarding unrecorded lectures, assessment during SWOTVAC or return to campus.

Bullying, Discrimination, Sexual Harassment:

Contact UMSU Advocacy – if the complaint relates to the university, for advice about your options to make an internal complaint. The UMSU Legal Service – for advice about your legal options around bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Phone 1300 891 848.
The Australian Human Rights Commission.

Student Discipline

Academic misconduct and general misconduct information here.
If you receive notice of an allegation of misconduct, contact UMSU Advocacy immediately for support and assistance with responding to the matter. Contact us for advice.

Feeling lonely?

You can feel lonely anywhere and at any time – no matter how many people are physically around you. But if you’re tired of feeling solo and want to get connected, there are some things you can do.

Making Friends

Making new friends can be challenging, particularly if you are in a new city away from loved ones. Usually, the basis of making a friend is a shared experience around a similar passion or interest. Joining a group based on something you really love can be a great first step for finding new friendships.

Join a Club: We have over 200 student clubs available for you to join. Check out Clubs and Societies you can join
Join a Collective of like-minded peeps. Many of our student departments have collectives that run regularly. Check out our Events.
Reach Out have some great tools and tips on making friends.

Financial Help

Sometimes you need support managing your finances. Knowing what options are available to you can help you with budgeting and living on a limited income whilst you are studying.

Money

Students experiencing hardship can talk to the UMSU Legal Service about financial counselling. The UMSU Legal Service can also provide legal advice if you are being pursued for a debt, or have a dispute with Centrelink.
UniMelb has a Financial Aid team that can provide information and advice about budgeting, managing debt and eligibility for Centrelink payments etc.
International Students may be able to access some financial support through the Study Melbourne Student Centre.
Utility Relief Grant for support paying bills.
16-21, you may be eligible for Youth Allowance.
25 or older and studying, you may be eligible for Austudy payments.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student, you may be eligible for Abstudy payments.
Centrelink payment recipients may also have access to Rent Assistance or the Pensioner Education Supplement.
The Australian Government funds The Australia Awards Scholarship program and provides opportunities for people from selected developing countries to study in Australia.

Food

There are a number of options for free food programs to support students. Remember if you are struggling for food, please reach out to our UMSU Welfare department.

Free food options

Free Welfare breakfasts and and food bank.
Cheap lunches and chill meeting spaces in the Ida Bar..
Unimelb offer a number of free meal options.
Priority food delivery – Woolworths are offering priority food delivery to seniors, people with disabilities or compromised immune systems. Sign up, or help out a friend or relative.

Need a job?

So you're looking for a casual job whilst you are studying? If you’re interested in working at UMSU the Casual Pool is the place for you.

Work and employability

Access UMSU and Unimelb job opportunities here, and the Victorian Government's Jobs Victoria online hub here.

Have a problem at work? For advice about employment issues, including pay disputes and harassment and bullying, contact the UMSU Legal Service here.

Housing

There are lots of reasons why you might need emergency accommodation or help with housing from eviction to being flat broke to a relationship breakdown. If you don't have anywhere to live, or anywhere that is safe to live, there is help.

Need help with your living arrangements?

UMSU Welfare can offer assistance with household essentials and emergency accommodation.
The UMSU Legal Service can help with a wide range of tenancy issues, including repairs, bond disputes, options for ending your lease, and eviction.
UniMelb has a Student Housing booking and advisory system.
StudyMelbourne and Tenants Victoria have great resources around choosing where you live and rental rights and responsibilities.

Legal and Advocacy Support

UMSU Advocacy

Things go wrong at uni at the best of times and UMSU's Advocacy Service is here to help. you navigate policies and procedures that govern how you and the University interact. The Advocacy Service offers free, confidential and independent advice on matters such as Misconduct, Course Academic Progres, Special Consideration, Assessment Disputes and more.

Contact Advocacy here.

UMSU Legal Service

The UMSU Legal Service is a community legal centre that provides free and confidential legal advice and financial counselling services to all current UniMelb students.

The Legal Service is staffed by qualified lawyers and provides legal help for a wide range of issues, including:

Renting
Infringements/fines
Minor criminal law
Motor vehicle accidents
Employment law including bullying
Consumer law
Family violence/personal safety intervention orders
Discrimination
Sexual harrassment

Contact the UMSU Legal Service here.