Supporting students
For students struggling with health, mental health or disability-related issues, Health, Counselling and Disability Services (HCD) are your starting point in terms of referral. We’ve provided a brief description of our primary services below. Our full service brochure can be provided to students if necessary. Students (and staff) are often unaware of the full range of services provided, including clinical services, therapeutic programs, wellbeing newsletter and self-help resources.
Quick links
Student health
We have bulk-billing GPs and nurses (both male and female) that students can see for general health matters. This includes international students whose private health insurance typically covers appointments at our service.
Medical services include first aid, health screens, staff medicals, minor surgery, health education, vaccinations and referrals (e.g. Mental health care plans).
Student mental health
Staff who are concerned about a student or student-related situation, should contact a member of our intake team to discuss the matter. This can be done via a phone call to Health and Counselling services (8201 2118) or emailing counselling@flinders.edu.au. The staff member does not need to disclose the student’s identity.
If you wish to refer a student to the counselling service, you can pass on our contact details to the student who can then email or ring to book an appointment or simply come in. If the student is very distressed, or you have concerns about their safety, we will endeavour to see them that day or ensure they are followed-up after-hours by the Crisis Line. You can speak to the reception staff about any available appointment times, or ask to speak directly with a counsellor.
Students who are not on the Bedford Park campus can be reminded that counselling appointments can be held over the phone as well as via Skype. We have counselling outreach to both Tonsley and Sturt campuses. We also have partnerships with counsellors outside of the Metropolitan area where remote/rural students can access support. See ‘What if I am living, working or doing a placement outside of Adelaide?’ page under ‘Frequently Asked Questions’
Supporting students with a disability
One of the primary supports provided by HCD for students with a disability are access plans.
Access plans are written by disability advisors and are based on an assessment of the student’s verified condition/disability, the impact of the condition on study, and reasonable adjustments for the course they are enrolled into. An access plan makes recommendations (to lecturers, Exams Office, etc) about how a student’s disability may need to be accommodated (note: disability information is not disclosed in the access plan).
Any strategies that disability advisors suggest will be governed by the inherent requirements of the degree the student is studying.
If staff have specific questions about access plans for students they can contact the Disability Advisors via email.
Please note, disability advisors are not able to disclose information regarding students' conditions/disabilities, without the student's consent, but they can talk more generally about access plans, assessment and reasonable adjustments.
Disability advisors are also happy to come and talk to groups of staff (including lab demonstrators and student leadership groups) about access plans and run 'Supporting Students with Disabilities' workshops throughout the year. Please contact them to arrange a presentation.
Useful links
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Student disability services
Supporting students - FAQs
The Flinders University Disability Policy, Action Plan and more
Regarding assessment/ reasonable adjustment (Appendix A)
Education and disability - Human Rights Commission
Disability Discrimination Act
Website Accessibility Standards - W3C
College disability academic advisors
Each College appoints a member of academic staff as a College Disability Academic Advisor (CDAA). CDAAs act as a point of contact and information for students with disabilities and for academic staff who need to clarify issues relating to reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
- Education, Psychology and Social Work: Dr Julie McMillan 8201 5748, Anna Noble 8201 3360
- Business, Law and Government: Ms Jenny Richards 8201 5976
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: Daryl Wesley 8201 5290
- Nursing and Health Sciences: Ms Didy Button 8201 3312, Dr Fiona Rillotta 8201 2108
- Medicine and Public Health: Louise Roberts 8201 7682
- Science and Engineering: Mr David Hobbs 8201 3167, Sue Pyke 8201 2049
Other services
There are a number of services within the university that have student wellbeing in mind. The service which is most appropriate for a student will depend on what factors are impacting on their wellbeing.
- OASIS – A Community Centre on the Bedford Park campus encouraging community and diversity, faith and spirituality and mental and physical wellbeing through a range of programs, events and facilities.
- FUSA – The Student Association provides academic, financial, legal, welfare assistance and advocacy services, as well as access to clubs and Student Council.
- Security – Emergency and safety assistance 24-hours a day.
- One Sport and Fitness – Low cost exercise, fitness and wellness services.
- ISS – First point of contact for all onshore international students studying at Flinders.
- Yunggorendi – Assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
- Office of Graduate Research – Support for higher degree students (PhD and Masters).
- Community Clinics – Flinders University offers a number of health, psychology, disability support, legal advice and nutritional services through our range of clinics and programs which are available to students also.
- Transitions Office – Programs designed to help students in their transition to university study.
- Flinders Connect – Advice on enrolment, exams, fees, scholarships, course information, GPA and graduation.
- Student Learning Centre – Support in the areas of academic writing, maths, Endnote, study skills, statistics and referencing.
- Library – Help with FLO, course readings, research skills and finding information.
Contact us
Health, Counselling and Disability Services are located at:
Level 3, Student Services Centre (next to the Sports Centre)
Flinders University, Sturt Rd,
Bedford Park SA 5042
Office hours are open: 9am to 5pm, Monday – Friday (including vacation periods, but excluding Christmas and New Year periods).
All feedback or complaints about the services offered at Health, Counselling and Disability Services should be directed to the Director Student Services.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
