Health, Wellbeing and Development

The Health, Wellbeing and Development (HWD) team delivers services and programs* which aim to build your capacity for learning and personal development outcomes throughout the student life cycle from when you first join Monash until you graduate.

HWD student advisors will help provide assistance and information on a broad range of issues about settling in, money matters, housing, health, safety and general wellbeing. Students can also see staff from the following services for more specific concerns:

• chaplaincy
• counselling
• international student support
• family and child care (includes vacation care program)
• financial aid and loans
• off-campus housing
• medical/health services

* NOTE: Not all services are available on all campuses, and not all services may be identical at all campuses. Students at Monash South Africa may also be able to access other assistance from Student Development on their campus such as career advice, community development, student employment, sports and recreation, study permit renewal and transport.

Students are free to utilise any of the services on any campus. Most services are free to students, but a small fee is levied for some services as they are provided by people external to the University at a reduced rate. You may be asked to produce your student ID card, and when using the health service in Australia you will need to produce your Medicare/Medibank number or OSHC membership number.

Further information

• See the entries in this section under individual headings, or if studying at Sunway visit http://www.monash.edu.my/current.htm for information about a range of similar services.

Health and medical services

Emergency care, preventive care and consultation is provided to the students and staff of the University. Doctors are in attendance at Caulfield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses, but hours of availability may vary. Campus nurses are in attendance for consultation and advice, and on some campuses for emergency care and treatment. Gippsland has a campus nurse with limited availability for consultation and advice. Berwick does not have these types of services on-campus, however the Berwick Family Medical Clinic is located close to the campus at 40 Clyde Rd, telephone +61 3 9769 5500.

Some campuses also offer dietary, massage, naturopathy, optometry and physiotherapy services, and group relaxation and meditation sessions.

At Australian campuses, students are bulk-billed and a valid Medicare card, or OSHC membership number for international students, must be produced at each visit to a doctor.

International students - health insurance requirements

OSHC (Students on Australian campuses)

While you are in Australia, you must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for yourself (and your family if they're staying with you). This is a condition of your student visa for the duration of your stay. You must personally renew your OSHC each year before your card expires. If you do not have valid health insurance you will be required to pay the full cost of any medical treatment required. This could amount to thousands of dollars. Information on OSHC can be found at http://www.monash.edu/international/visa

Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance Scheme (Students studying at Sunway campus, Malaysia)

In compliance with the Malaysian Ministry of Education's Code of Ethics on International Student Recruitment, the University has made available a Cashless Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance Scheme, which is compulsory for international students and for which students must pay upon admission into the University and then each subsequent year of study - the rate in 2007 is RM100 per semester. Details of the coverage and benefits of the insurance scheme are available from Student Services at Sunway. Email ISSU@monash.edu.my for more information.

A Cashless Hospitalisation and Surgical Card that can be used at selected hospitals and medical centres will be issued to you at the Student Services counter once it is available. When you collect the card, you will be expected to produce the receipt from the finance office indicating that you have paid for the scheme. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that their coverage is renewed before it expires annually.

International students who already have prior hospitalisation and surgical coverage are not required to participate in this insurance scheme if they can show proof of coverage to staff at the Student Services counter.

Counselling

Professional and confidential counselling is available free to all students, prospective students and staff. Experienced psychologists and social workers are available to help develop strategies to cope with a crisis or to deal with academic, or social and personal issues such as emotional difficulties, relationship or family problems and cultural issues. Drop in times are available each day or phone to make an appointment (see `Key contacts directory' at the back of this guide). Group programs are provided to help students develop positive coping and problem solving skills including stress management. Details of all services and self-help resources are available at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/community-services

Parkville

The student counsellor is available on-campus Monday to Friday by appointment (telephone +61 3 9903 9689). A mentoring scheme provides an opportunity for first-year undergraduate students to benefit from the experiences of senior students.

Sunway

The University Counselling services provide free and confidential counselling to all students, prospective students and staff members. Experienced counsellors are available to discuss issues ranging from academic to emotional difficulties, relationship or family problems and cultural issues. Groups are conducted each semester on such themes as study skills, self-esteem, assertiveness, meditation and stress management/relaxation. Monthly presentations for both staff and students on issues that concern them are organized by the services.

Counsellors are available on-campus Monday to Friday. The Services has a walk-in policy but encourages appointments to enable it to deliver prompt service.

Contact Ms Rajani Vidyasagar, telephone 603-55146072 or email rajani.vidyasagar@adm.monash.edu.my, or Ms Na Mui Gee, telephone 603-55146057 or email na.mui.gee@adm.monash.edu.my.

Chaplains

Chaplains provide a community focus in developing spirituality for students and staff and liaise regularly with all spiritual groups/clubs on campus. Services include regular opportunities for worship and meditation; confidential pastoral counselling for spiritual, religious and personal issues; research and lectures/workshops; and weekly study groups on scripture, faith reflection and personal growth.

Chaplains can help put you in touch with your own spirituality, and if you want to, with a church or other faith community. Call in to see the chaplains about anything that concerns you.

There are chaplains representing various denominations at Monash including Anglican, Uniting, Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, Assemblies of God, Orthodox and Ecumenical. Not all chaplains are available full-time or on all campuses.

Further information

• See also section 5.9.

Indigenous student support

See section 4.

International student support

Student advisors, counselling and health services are available for all international students on all campuses. Counsellors, doctors and nurses ensure that international students are made to feel welcome and at home. Drop in and talk with one of the student advisors to see what opportunities there are to get the most out of your time at Monash or to get the help you need for any visa, personal, academic or cultural adjustment issues.