Support Services

Our Student Support team can assist you during your studies with academic, administrative, wellbeing and general queries. Our Support advisors offer personalised support services for your academic, personal and general needs. Our inclusive approach ensures that every student receives the assistance they need, from study support and peer mentoring to LGBTIQ+ and First Nations support.

You can find them at the Wellington Street campus support window on level 2 on weekdays and at our other sites once a week. They are also available to support you online via email, phone and Zoom.

Collarts Mental Health Hotline available 24/7 all year round. This service will help you with:

• Finding immediate relief from emotional stress
• Identifying coping strategies for current problem or a crisis
• Exploring pathways or longer-term solutions
• Working out the next steps to take

Call or text us at the below numbers for support.

Phone: 1300 045 853
Text: 0485 874 578

Please note the Collarts Mental Health Hotline does not offer ongoing
counselling nor is able to provide any health practitioner documentation but can link you with community counselling and wellbeing services, and external support.

Understanding your Health and Wellbeing

Headspace is an Australian non-profit organisation set up to support the mental health of young people.

The following links from Headspace will take you directly to information and support relating to mental health, physical health (including sexual health) study, work, alcohol, and other drugs.

• Wellbeing and good mental health allows you to live your life in a positive and meaningful way and cope with life’s changes and challenges. Our wellbeing can be impacted in many ways such as not sleeping and eating well and not feeling connected to others and feeling lonely.

• Anxiety is our body’s way of preparing and managing difficult situations but when feelings and thoughts become excessive and interfere with daily living it may be time to do something about it. What are common types and signs of anxiety disorders and what can you do to manage it?

• ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can affect a person’s ability to focus, pay attention, control impulses or restlessness. What are the symptoms, causes and how it may affect other areas in your life and what you can do to manage ADHD

• Depression is more than feeling sadness, what are the changes to the way you think, feel and behave. What are the signs and symptoms and what are some things you can do to manage depression

• Trauma from situations that threaten your life, sense of safety, or that of someone around you may lead you to experiencing feelings of distress, fear, helplessness, and loss of control. There are different types of trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can develop because of exposure to a traumatic event, complex trauma due to repeated exposure, intergenerational, and vicarious trauma.

• Eating Disorder: What are the factors that may increase the risks of an unhealthy relationship to food and eating habits and what are the symptoms and the warning signs that can lead to serious and life-threatening health issues.

• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a mental health anxiety condition and can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. It is more than worrying or double-checking things. Excessive thoughts (obsessive) to prevent something bad from happening or to reduce upsetting feelings there is a strong urge to repeat (compulsive) a mental or physical behaviour.

• Navigating life and relationships: Information on Family and friendship, Feelings, Bullying, Finance, Relationships and sex, Sexuality and gender, social media and technology Supporting others, world events

• Alcohol and other drugs: How alcohol and drugs can impact on your mental health and physical health and how to look after yourself which includes safe partying tips

• Work and Study:  Tips and information on study support, finding work, mastering job interviews, getting a job without experience and coping with leaving secondary school

Respect at Collarts:

Collarts is committed to creating a positive, safe, respectful and inclusive environment for students, staff and other members of the community, free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. Collarts is here to support you if you feel you have experienced sexual harassment or gender-based violence at the College or in the community. Your safety at Collarts is our priority.

Our Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Policy explains the process that occurs once a report has been lodged and we encourage you to read this. Policies can be complex, but we are here to help you understand your options.

Gender-based violence is any form of physical or non-physical violence or abuse by a person that is underpinned by gender-based power inequalities, rigid gender norms and gender-based discrimination that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or depravation of liberty and autonomy. Violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, financial, technology-facilitated (including image-based abuse) and stalking. The term gender-based violence includes violence perpetrated against LGBTIQA+ people and may include sexual misconduct. Gendered violence disproportionately impacts women and girls.

Internal support services:

You can access the Collarts Mental Health Hotline for confidential support: Call 1300 045 853 or SMS 0485 874 5787

While you can talk to anyone you feel comfortable with, Collarts also has trained First Responders who are trained to provide safe and knowledgeable contact points for anyone wishing to access information or make a disclosure or report. They play a critical role in the initial handling of gender-based violence incidents within Collarts and are the first point of contact for survivors. 

Disclosure and Report:

If you feel you have experienced sexual harassment or Gender-Based Violence we encourage you to make a report by completing the online gender-based violence incident form . 

Alternatively, students can reach out to the National Students Ombudsman (NSO) at www.nso.gov.au. The NSO is an independent office that mediates and investigates student complaints related to safety, welfare, and issues such as gender-based violence within higher education institutions.

There is no place for gender-based violence at Collarts.

External support services:

The agencies listed below provide free, anonymous and confidential services.

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 - Telephone counselling (Available 24 hours, 7 days)
• SuicideLine Victoria: 1300 651 251 (Available 24 hours, 7 days)
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292 - Counselling, advocacy and referral
• Directline: 1800 888 236 - Drug and Alcohol counselling (Free, anonymous and confidential - 24/7)
• Griefline: 03 5596 7799 - Bereavement support (12pm - 3am)
• Mensline: 1300 789 978 - Counselling and referrals for men
• WIRE: 1300 134 130 - Support and referral for women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people (Free and confidential)
• Nurse on Call: 1300 606 024 - Expert health advice (24 hours, 7 days a week)
• City of Yarra Child Care: (03) 9205 5555 - Child care centres near Collarts campuses
• ARCVic: 1300 269 438 - OCD and Anxiety line

Collarts offers support and guidance in a variety of academic areas, such as essay writing, referencing, research techniques, time management, planning, presentations, and critical reflection. 

We also offer support in developing learning habits,  guidance in using online tools for writing feedback, managing references and creating a personalised research compendium. Meetings are available in one-on-one sessions in person, online, or via email. Individual courses also offer subject-specific tutoring.

The Equitable Learning and Accessibility (ELA) service provides support to students with disabilities, health conditions and neurodivergence. The ELA service can support you with accessing resources, support services, and reasonable adjustments for your studies. The ELA Coordinator works closely with you and your teachers to ensure your reasonable adjustments are implemented and are working for you throughout your studies.

Reasonable adjustments may include:

• Extra time to complete assignments
• Extra time or provision of a separate environment to complete exams
• Alternative assessment methods (for example, use of verbal questioning rather than written)
• Modification or provision of equipment
• Provision of accessible course materials

Collarts' dedicated Career Pathways Department assists students and alumni with job and internship applications, resumes, cover letters, professional branding, career advice, interview preparation, and networking.

 
Alongside our industry-connected lecturers and extensive event partnerships, we provide essential opportunities to start your creative career. Access the Career Ready Hub for internships, portfolios, and interview resources. For personalised assistance, contact Student Support at support@collarts.edu.au to book a one-on-one appointment, in-person or online.

Collarts has a vibrant and diverse community of students, staff and supporters. We recognise that those who identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community face unique challenges and we’re committed to providing a welcoming and safe space to foster our diversity.

Below is a list of resources, organisations and spaces that provide LGBTQI+-focused support.

QLife A counselling and referral service for the queer community. Provides nationwide phone and web-based services to people of all ages, with support in relation to bodies, genders, relationships, sexualities and lived experiences.

Minus18 is Australia’s largest youth organisation for LGBTQI+ youth. They create amazing social events, dance parties and engagement events for LGBTQI+ youth, while also providing resources for queer youth and their allies among their family, friends and educators.

Intersex Human Rights Australia is an independent support, education, and policy development organisation run by and for people with intersex variations or traits. Its focus is on human rights, bodily autonomy, self-determination, and evidence-based, patient-directed health care.

Victorian Pride Centre is a purpose-built space for the LGBTQI+ community, hosting events, organisations and advocacy programs. They are a fantastic space with many industry partners (Joy Media, Australian Queer Archives, Hares & Hyenas)

Collarts is committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all of our students. We understand that there is inequality in education opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and are working to better ourselves and our industry to create an equitable education sector.

Reach out to admissions@collarts.edu.au for information on First Nations scholarships on offer. 

From the day you start your creative studies, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with peer mentors who will guide and support you through your first trimester at Collarts.

You’ll kick off university in a fun and supportive environment, building connections with your mentors, peers and the wider Collarts community. Mentors are students in their third trimester or above, and they guide new students through their first trimester, sharing their knowledge and insights into the Collarts systems and experience.

Collarts provides access to a range of physical and online library resources, services, and facilities across two sites and off-campus. With a Design Library at Cromwell Street and a space dedicated to music and performance resources at Wellington Street, Collarts is committed to providing all students with constant opportunities to discover, access, use, create, and share knowledge. Online services have been curated in response to student needs.

Melbourne has a wealth of accommodation options for students. We know navigating them can be slightly overwhelming so we’ve put together a list of recommendations to give you a helping hand.

switchliving.com.au/melbourne-victoria-markets
JournalStudentLiving.com.au
UniLodge.com.au
iglu.com.au
Flatmates.com.au
FlatmateFinders.com.au
Fairy Floss Real Estate
Queer Housing Melbourne
GayShare.com.au
Domain.com.au
realestate.com.au

If you’re looking to move and don’t have access to a car, we recommend looking at suburbs well-connected to our campuses via public transport. A few options include Melbourne CBD, Northcote, Abbotsford, Clifton Hill, Thornbury, Preston, Carlton, and Brunswick.