Connecting students to the right support
At Macquarie, we believe that wellbeing is a shared responsibility, and that early support can make a meaningful difference.
CARE is more than a form – it’s our proactive approach to student wellbeing.
The CARE approach helps us:
- Connect early
- Assist with immediate needs
- Refer to the right support
- Empower students to thrive
Whether you’re a student looking for support or someone concerned about a fellow student, the CARE Form is a simple and confidential way to help connect with the support that’s needed
What is a CARE Form?
The CARE Form is a way to let the Student Wellbeing team know that you, or someone you’re concerned about, could use some help.
This might include:
- Personal or emotional challenges
- Mental health or wellbeing concerns
- Study-related stress
- Difficult life circumstances
- Disability, health conditions, or caring responsibilities
Support is not one-size-fits-all. The Student Wellbeing team will review the information provided and respond with the right guidance, service, or support pathway.
Two Pathways to CARE
There are two pathways to CARE: self-referral, where the student submits the form themselves, and staff or student referral, where the form is submitted on the student’s behalf with their consent.
Students are encouraged to complete the CARE Form for themselves. This helps promote autonomy, builds confidence, and ensures support is offered in a way that feels right for the student.
Use this pathway to request support for yourself.
If you’re concerned about a student and they agree to being referred, you can complete a CARE Referral Form on their behalf.
- MQ staff member or student, and you have concerns about a student – use this pathway (with the student's consent).
- Concerned parent, friend, or relative, please do not submit a CARE Referral Form. Instead, email Student Wellbeing for guidance and support: wellbeing@mq.edu.au
Why consent matters
When referring someone through a CARE Referral Form, it's important that the student is aware and agrees to the referral. Here's why:
- Respect and trust: Support works best when a student feels safe, respected, and involved in the process.
- Openness to support: When a student gives consent, they're more likely to engage with the help offered.
- CARE is not anonymous: Our team needs to contact the student directly to offer support, and we want to do that in a way that honours their choice.
Whenever possible, encourage the student to submit the CARE Form themselves, or ask for their permission before making a referral. If you're unsure how to have this conversation, our team can help guide you.
Pathway | Who completes it | When to use it | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Self-referral | Students | When you recognise you need additional support to manage personal challenges and stay focused on your studies | Stress, personal loss, mental health concerns, study challenges, disability or health condition, caring responsibilities |
Report on behalf | Academic staff, professional staff, or students | When you're concerned about a student and they’ve given permission to refer them | Disengagement, stress, disclosure of personal issues, noticeable changes |
If you are a concerned parent, friend, or relative, please do not submit a CARE Referral Form. Instead, email Student Wellbeing for guidance and support: wellbeing@mq.edu.au
Not sure what to do?
If you're unsure what to do, or you're not confident about how to raise the conversation about a CARE referral, we're here to help.
Student Wellbeing | E: wellbeing@mq.edu.au
Monday to Friday | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Note: Student Wellbeing is not a crisis service. If someone is in immediate danger, please call Triple Zero (000) and contact Campus Security on +61 (2) 9850 7497 (for on-campus emergencies).