Social support

Financial and social support

Whether you are a domestic or international student, Welfare Services can help you if you’re experiencing social or financial difficulties.

The Welfare Service under the Student Wellbeing team offers information and support to students going through difficult situations at an academic, emotional, social and/or financial level.

Areas the Welfare Service can assist with include:

• Academic concerns
• Adjustment to university life
• Accommodation, tenancy and renting concerns
• Financial concerns
• access to emergency vouchers for groceries or study related items
• Family concerns
• General health concerns (referrals only)
• Legal Concerns (referrals only)
• Relationships including domestic and family violence
• Other social concerns

A good place to start on your support journey is clearly defining what your needs are so you can create an individual road map for support. From there you can use Ask Izzy or The Good Shepherd where you can find resources and assistance near you.

Here is a list of community supports for food, emergency relief and welfare you can access:

• Study NSW offers a welfare hub to assist students during the covid pandemic. If you are an international student, also refer to our International Students page, including financial support.
• Hornsby Connect offers a low-cost “Staples” bag containing grocery options, with options for personal hygiene and meat options at an additional cost.
• Reach Community Initiatives in the Ryde area has partnered with OzHarvest to provide frozen meals and Emergency Food Parcels for those who need support.
• Anglicare has emergency food assistance across NSW, and provide advice on financial issues such as rental arrears, assistance with bond and financial counselling.
• Western Sydney MRC has an emergency relief program targeted at immediate needs in times of crisis.
• City of Sydney has a dedicated hotline for non-emergency and non-medical referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Rough Edges offers a variety of services including their community assistance program, a solution-focused initiative to assist people with different practical considerations.
• Bay City Care has emergency relief targeted at maintaining dignity and self-reliance.
• Ozharvest provides no-cost food hampers. Register for your hamper today.
• Hindu Council of Australia provides cooked food, dry groceries and food vouchers to students in need. Complete the Crisis Help Form to receive support.
• Lou's place in King’s Cross is providing free takeaway lunchboxes at 12.30pm each day for female international students.
• Christian Community Aid (CCA) provides free food parcels. Call +61 (2) 9858 3222 or visit the CCA’s Eastwood office to receive a food parcel.
• Salvation Army and Vinnies can assist you with the basic costs of living.

Emergency on campus

Campus security
T: +61 (2) 9850 9999

Police/fire/ambulance
T: 000

Sexual assault and harassment
T: 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)

Remember Macquarie is here to help you throughout your university journey – you are not alone!