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  1. Purpose

The Student Wellness Policy (“policy”) outlines the Institution’s approach to supporting student wellbeing and mental health recognises the shared responsibility of students, staff and the Institution in promoting a safe and supportive learning environment.

This policy supports the Institution’s obligations under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards), including requirements to promote a safe and inclusive learning environment, provide access to timely and appropriate support services, and maintain clear accountabilities for student safety and wellbeing. This policy should be read in conjunction with the Student Wellness Procedures.

  1. Scope

This policy applies to all students.

  1. Definitions

See Glossary of Terms.

  1. Policy statements

4.1 The Institution is committed to promoting student wellbeing and mental health by fostering a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for students. This includes providing clear information about available support, referral pathways and actions students and staff can take to enhance safety and wellbeing on campus and online.

4.2 The Institution considers support and wellness services to be an integral part of student life. These services aim to:

    a. enhance the student experience and support students to achieve their educational goals;

b. help students identify when personal circumstances may be affecting their education; and

c. promote wellbeing and foster an environment that is free from harm.

4.3 There are strategies in place to identify students who may require additional support to achieve their academic potential. Students are encouraged to seek support early if they experience a decline in their wellbeing.

4.4 Information, advice, support and referral to counselling are provided in a timely manner on a range of matters including, a student’s course of study, educational experience, mental health, personal wellbeing and safety, gender-based violence and sexual harm support and counselling, accommodation issues, disability and any other wellness needs. See also the Student Wellness Procedures.

4.5 Students who require additional support as a result of failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress are managed in accordance with the Academic Progression Policy and Academic Progression Procedures.

4.6 The Institution recognises that students may need support from external professional services, including emergency services, mental health services, health services, legal advice or specialist counselling. The Institution provides timely and accurate referral information, noting that institutional support is not a substitute for emergency, clinical or specialist professional services. Referrals to external institution-referred counselling services are provided to students at no additional cost up to the level of support approved by the Institution. Students are responsible for any additional counselling or other external professional services they arrange independently.

4.7 Students are entitled and encouraged to request and access relevant internal or external advice, support and referral to counselling services while enrolled as a student.

4.8 Privacy is upheld during consultations, and personal information is handled confidentially in accordance with the Institution’s Privacy Policy. Information may be disclosed if the Institution has reasonable grounds for concern about the health or safety of the student or others, or where disclosure is required or authorised by law.

4.9 The Institution promotes health, wellness and safety initiatives across the physical and online campus to foster a safe environment.

4.10 The Institution periodically reviews student wellness arrangements, informed by relevant student and staff feedback, service usage trends, incident or disclosure data, and sector guidance, to support continuous improvement.

  1. Role and responsibilities

5.1 Students are responsible for:

  • seeking relevant support and/or professional assistance where personal circumstances are affecting, or may affect, their education; and
  • contacting relevant support services if they receive informal or formal feedback about concerns for their academic progress or wellbeing.

5.2 Staff are responsible for:

  • identifying students who may require wellbeing, academic or other support;
  • responding respectfully where a student discloses distress, harm or a serious wellbeing concern;
  • recognising the limits of their role and expertise, including that staff are not expected to provide counselling or specialist advice.
  • referring or escalating matters through the appropriate support pathway, including explaining any limits to confidentiality where relevant.

5.3 The Student Success Centre is responsible for:

  • providing initial guidance and referral support to help students access appropriate internal or external services for physical, mental health or emotional issues affecting their academic participation within the limits of the Institution’s role and staff expertise;
  • triaging student wellness matters according to the nature and urgency of the student’s circumstances;
  • referring students to internal or external support services where appropriate; and
  • developing and promoting health, wellbeing, mental health and safety initiatives across the physical and online campus.

5.4 The Wellness Team supports the Institution’s wellness arrangements by assisting with wellness-related information, resources or initiatives as directed. They are not the primary contact point for student wellness support, triage or referral.

5.5 The DVC (Learning and Teaching) is responsible for approving Academic Access Plans.

  1. Related documents

Academic Progression Policy

Academic Progression Procedures

Campus Safety Policy

Disability Policy

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy

Fitness for Study Policy

Student Disability Management Procedures

Student Wellness Procedures

Support for Students Policy

  1. Version history
Summary of changes Approved by Approval date
New Academic Board 2 August 2019
Academic Board 14 September 2020
Academic Board 27 May 2022
Comprehensive review to reflect current practice, including the Student Success Centre’s primary role in student wellness support, with the Wellness Team providing supplementary support.

 

 Academic Board