Student Support

Personal support

You may be feeling overwhelmed from your studies, stressed from work or you could be dealing with something difficult in your personal life. Whatever it is, we have a number of free student support services available to help you.

Equity Contact Officers are the first point of contact regarding discrimination, harassment and bullying queries and concerns. They provide information on matters regarding discrimination and harassment and bullying, including informal and formal resolution options available.

Student Mentor Program
Mentors are second or third year students in a similar course to you, who can answer your questions and help you settle into university life - whether you are studying on or off campus.

AccessAbility Whether you have a permanent disability or a temporary injury or condition which is affecting your study, AccessAbility aims to take a holistic approach to your life, taking into consideration the impact of health on your studies.

Counselling
JCU's counselling service provides a professional, confidential and responsive service to help you succeed at JCU. This includes individual appointments, referrals, workshops and more.

Safety and wellbeing (Respect. Now. Always. campaign)
The Respect. Now. Always. campaign highlights the determination of Australia's universities to ensure students and staff are safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment. At James Cook University, we are committed to ensuring that our working and learning environment is free from discrimination and harassment.

JCUSA – support for students
The JCU Student Association offers free, confidential and non-judgmental support services for students. The Student Advocacy and Welfare Officers in Townsville and Cairns can help with information, advocacy and referral on a range of student support issues. They also help with academic support issues including exams and assessment, appeals, interpreting University policies and procedures, and academic misconduct.

Chaplaincy
The JCU Multifaith Chaplaincy Centre is a free service provided by the University in partnership with local Faith Communities to support students in their spiritual lives.

Student Conflict Support Website
This is a self-help resource to assist students in managing conflict. The website includes video case studies of some typical conflicts that students may experience during their time at university, and different approaches to use when dealing with them. There are also resource sheets to support students in managing conflict and a referral resource should students need further support.

The Desk
The desk aims to support students to achieve mental and physical health and wellbeing. Being a student can be challenging and many students do not access support services for a range of reasons. Providing resources online means more people will be able to get help to improve their wellbeing and study more effectively.

Academic support

The Learning Centre is a free resource available to all students. It offers online and face to face guidance on a range of topics to help develop your academic abilities. You can access our drop in sessions without appointment, book a time for more personalised support or download our online resources. Whether you need help with maths and statistics, planning your assignments or other essential study skills, The Learning Centre is your ‘one-stop-shop’ for academic learning development.

Rights and responsibilities

Student Charter
The Student Charter outlines the reasonable expectations that students can have of the University while studying. It also documents what the University expects of its students.

Student Contract – Terms and Conditions
Here you can access the terms and conditions you agreed to when you accepted your offer at JCU.

Student policies
Visit the policies website to access student policies related to your responsibility and rights, including exams and fees policies.

Exams and Results
Visit the Exams and Results website for information on academic progression, academic misconduct, results and Grade Point Average (GPA).

Course and subject handbooks
Visit the Course and Subject Handbooks website to access information on your course structure, learning outcomes, subject information, academic calendars and more. 

Enrolment
Your enrolment is your responsibility. Go to the Enrolments website to access enrolment resources, including information about changing your course and personal details.

Important dates
It's critical that you are aware of certain academic dates so you are not penalised financially or academically. Go to our Important Dates website for more information.

JCUSA – student rights
The Student Advocacy and Welfare Officers in Townsville and Cairns can help with information, advocacy and referral on a range of student support issues. They also help with academic support issues including exams and assessment, appeals, interpreting University policies and procedures, and academic misconduct.

Student Support Officers

The Student Support Officer (SSO) provides private and confidential, personalised support to first year students.

SSOs provide advice, advocacy and referrals to University services. They work with students to help them achieve their educational goals, and to succeed at university by offering timely information and support when it's needed.

Make an appointment with your SSO by contacting the relevant contact:

College of Arts, Society and Education

For students enrolled in Arts, Education, Social Work and New Media Arts
Townsville Campus – camilla.strom1@jcu.edu.au
Cairns Campus – anita.suleman@jcu.edu.au

College of Business, Law and Governance

Students enrolled in Law, Business and Information Technology
Townsville Campus – nikki.strano@jcu.edu.au
Cairns Campus – natasha.garvey1@jcu.edu.au

External students can contact either support officer or email cblgstudentsupport@jcu.edu.au

College of Science and Engineering

Students enrolled in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
All campuses – CSE.StudentSupport2@jcu.edu.au

Students enrolled in Science (Aquaculture, Ecology, Environmental Management, Marine Biology, Zoology) or Planning
All campuses – CSE.StudentSupport1@jcu.edu.au

Division of Tropical Health and Medicine

Students enrolled in Biomedical Sciences, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Speech Pathology, Sport Exercise Science and Veterinary Science.

All campuses – dthm.studentsupport@jcu.edu.au or Skype at dthmstudentsupport.

Student feedback, representation, consultation and complaints

Feedback

• JCU welcomes your feedback about your experience as a student. You can provide positive or constructive feedback by submitting a feedback form.
• The JCU Student Advisory Forum was established to promote communication and interaction among JCU students and staff. The Forum provides an opportunity for students to provide feedback to the University and participate in decision making processes. Forum participation is based on nominations for a two-year membership and meetings held twice per year. For further information, see the Student Advisory Forum webpage or contact the Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic).
• Provide feedback on JCU subjects and teaching and your student experience via various online surveys.

Student representation

• Students can contribute to decision making at JCU by nominating for membership of Council and other bodies.

Consultation with students

• JCU regularly seeks feedback from students with a variety of representation, feedback and consultation mechanisms.

Complaints

• As a JCU student, you have the right to make a complaint about anything you have experienced and believe is wrong and/or you have been adversely affected by it. Find out more about making informal and formal complaints, appeals, and access resources on our feedback and complaints website.

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

JCU has a range of personalised support services for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. JCU is a friendly and supportive place to study and we aim to provide an environment that inspires you to grow personally, culturally and academically.

Careers and employment

JCU Careers and Employment supports students to develop their career planning and job application skills. Book an appointment with a JCU Careers Counsellor, get help with job applications, your resume and LinkedIn profile, and sign into CareerHub - JCU's online job board.

International students

The International Student Support Team is available to assist you during your studies. Friendly, dedicated support staff provide international students with helpful information, advice and referral services as well as facilitating orientation for new students upon arrival. Visit our International Students website or contact the International Student Support Team.

Financial support

Being a student can be hard financially, so you should tap into as many financial support services as you can – you'll be surprised what you are eligible for. Our careers and employment team can also help you find a part time job.

Safety and wellbeing

Emergency
In any life threatening Emergency Call (0) 000 (112 from Mobile) and request either Police, Fire or Ambulance. Then notify JCU Security Control on (478) 15555 or 1800 675 559.

Safety and wellbeing (Respect. Now. Always. campaign)
The Respect. Now. Always. campaign highlights the determination of Australia's universities to ensure students and staff are safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment. At James Cook University, we are committed to ensuring that our working and learning environment is free from discrimination and harassment.

Safe work and study at JCU
JCU recognises its obligation to provide a safe and healthy environment for all students. Find out how to report an incident or hazard, minimise your risk of injury on campus, and access Chemwatch.

Elite athletes

James Cook University belongs to the National Network of Elite Athlete Friendly Universities (NNEAFU). The intent of this program is to provide support and flexibility for formally identified elite athlete students.

The benefit of belonging to this program is that it helps ensure that elite athlete students can more readily and successfully combine their academic and sporting aspirations while studying at our University.

Facilities and services

We've got a range of facilities and services on campus – from helping you find accommodation, doing up your resume or finding your textbooks.

Childcare
Careers and Employability
Accommodation
Co-op Bookshop
Lost property

Health and medical services

There are a number of medical and health services available on and off campus. As a JCU student, you will receive a discount for most off-campus services and free services on-campus.

Townsville and Cairns medical services
Brisbane medical services
About health services in Australia
JCU Counselling Service
AccessAbility Service – for students with a disability, injury or medical condition
Mental health services and resources
Emergency information

Legal advice

JCU services
JCU Student Association has a welfare service that can help with access to community legal services.

External services
Legal Aid Queensland has a hotline for legal information: 1300 65 11 88
Tenants Queensland has fact sheets and advice for tenants
Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc.
Townsville Community Legal Service (Townsville)
North Queensland Women’s Legal Service (Cairns and Townsville)
Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service
Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services

Legal resources
Law Stuff – legal information and advice around Australia
Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission
Office of Fair Trading Queensland
Queensland Law Society
FairWork Ombudsman

Off campus (external) students

Regardless of where you live and what you do, we know you are looking for flexibility and convenience. Go to our off-campus website for a guide on accessing services as off-campus student.

More help

Ask Us
Ask Us has more than 1500 commonly asked questions. You can access Ask Us online 24/7 and submit enquiries to the Student Centre staff.

Student Centre
The Student Centre is your number one point of contact. Our staff will provide advice on your enrolment, subjects, fees, support services, scholarships, exams and even directions!

IT Help Desk
If you are having password, internet or computing related problem, contact the IT Help Desk.