Student Support

Academic Student Support

At GCA, we are committed to fostering academic success through a comprehensive suite of tailored support services. Students benefit from a wide range of academic resources, including study skills workshops, exam preparation sessions, research guidance, and access to learning materials—all designed to enhance the overall educational experience.

Our dedicated Student Success Manager, along with experienced academic staff, provides personalised support to help students build essential academic skills and maintain steady progress throughout their studies. To accommodate diverse learning preferences, GCA offers flexible learning tools, e-library access, and recorded lectures.

In alignment with our commitment to student success, GCA implements a robust Academic Progression, Monitoring, and Intervention Policy. This framework enables the early identification of students who may be at risk of underperformance. Targeted academic and non-academic support is promptly offered to ensure that all students are equipped with the guidance and resources necessary to improve their academic outcomes and successfully complete their studies.

Through these integrated support mechanisms, GCA aims to empower students to reach their full academic potential in a supportive and responsive learning environment.

Non-Academic Student Support

At GCA, we recognise that student success encompasses more than academic achievement alone. Our comprehensive non-academic support services are designed to assist students in managing a range of personal, financial, and well-being challenges that may arise during their studies. Services include access to mental health referrals, options for study-load adjustments, financial assistance, and campus transfer support, all aimed at fostering a balanced and sustainable student experience.

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive and supportive learning environment through targeted well-being initiatives, student engagement programs, and structured peer support networks. These initiatives contribute to a strong sense of community and help promote resilience and personal development among our student body.

Our dedicated support team ensures that all students have equitable access to the necessary resources and services to thrive—both personally and academically—throughout their educational journey at GCA.

Non-Academic support services include

Assisting students with enrolment processes
Activating student accounts both in the learning management system (LMS) and the student management system (SMS)
Ensuring ongoing access to the necessary applications and software
Supporting enrolment variations
Providing directory assistance
Enabling leave applications
Ensuring student welfare and being available to students for a range of other queries in a timely way.

Other Non-Academic Support Services include:

Wellness Support
Student Orientations / Student Orientation Policy
Equity and Diversity
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of First Nations Students
Wellbeing and Safety
Counselling and Mental Health Support

Emergency Services

Emergency Assistance

In the event of an emergency on campus, follow the emergency plan and the instructions from our safety and emergency wardens.

Police Off campus – emergency: Dial 000

Crime Stoppers – 1800 333 000

Police Assistance Line – 131 444

Domestic Violence – 1800 656 463 (Department of Community and Family Services)

Child Protection Hotline – 132 111 (Department of Community and Family Services)

Health Services

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Emergency – 02 9515 6111

St Vincent’s Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Care – 02 8382 1111

Sydney Hospital – 02 9382 7111

Sydney Eye Hospital – 02 9382 7354

Aboriginal Medical Service – 02 9319 5823

Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service – 02 9515 9000 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)

Central Sydney Area Sexual Health Service – 02 9560 3057 (Monday – Friday, 8.45am – 4.45pm)

Medical Services

Dr Lun General Practice, 8 Quay Street Haymarket – 02 9211 1003

Sydney Central Medical Center, Level 3 Suite 306 451 Pitt St Haymarket – 02 9212 3953

Worldciti Medical, Level 1, 710 Geroge St Haymarket – 02 9281 7311

Haymarket Medical Centre, Ground Level, Shop 9.01c/644 George St, Sydney – 02 9777 0024

Personal Support Services

It is normal to require additional support at various stages of your academic journey, particularly when balancing the demands of study, daily responsibilities, and, for some, the transition to a new cultural environment. The resources and contacts provided on this page are intended to assist you in navigating both academic and personal challenges, ensuring that you have access to the appropriate support services to maintain well-being and achieve success throughout your time at GCA.

GCA International Student Officer

Please get in touch with your campus Student Services team.

Free National Helplines

Lifeline:
Call if you are feeling overwhelmed, if you are worried about someone else or you need help in a crisis.

Phone 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service:
A nationwide service for people affected by suicide.
Phone 1300 659 467 or visit www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Alcohol and Drug Information Service:
A free 24 hour support line on 1800 250 015.

Gamblers Anonymous:
Assistance for compulsive gamblers, and their family and friends 02 9726 6625

Websites

Some of the following sites provide helpful fact sheets, self-assessment and tracking tools, and other resources to support mental health and wellbeing:

Black Dog Institute:
This website has many useful resources to support mental health. Visit www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Head to Health:
This website can help you find digital mental health services from trusted organisations. Visit www.headtohealth.gov.au

Reach Out:
The most accessed online mental health service for young people in Australia. Find self-help information, peer support and referral tools. Visit au.reachout.com

SANE:
This website has valuable resources for people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends and communities. Visit www.sane.org

Beyond Blue:
This website has a lot of mental health information and support. Visit www.beyondblue.org.au

Legal Services

Inner City Legal Centre

The Inner City Legal Centre is a not-for-profit community legal centre offering free legal services to residents of Sydney’s inner city, north shore and eastern suburbs. It also provides specialised support to the LGBQTI+ community, trans and gender diverse individuals, and offers employment law advice across New South Wales.

Shopfront Youth Legal Centre

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre provides free legal assistance for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. We are based in inner Sydney but can also help young people outside this area.

The Shopfront was established in 1993 and is operated jointly by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Mission Australia and The Salvation Army. The legal services are provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer on a pro bono basis and our case work service is provided by Mission Australia.

Redfern Legal Centre – Free legal advice.

Founded in 1977, Redfern Legal Centre was the first community legal centre established in NSW.

For over 45 years, we have maintained our reputation as an independent legal centre of excellence that champions access to justice for people experiencing vulnerability in Redfern and its surrounding suburbs, and across NSW.

RLC has a particular focus on human rights and social justice, with specialised practices in financial abuse, tenancy, credit and debt, employment, discrimination, international students, complaints about police and other governmental agencies and a Health Justice Partnership with Sydney Local Health District.

As the oldest community legal centre in New South Wales, and the second Australia-wide, we hold a unique place of trust in the community.

We increase access to justice by providing free legal advice and education to people in crisis, working to change unjust laws, and identifying and addressing areas of unmet legal need.

HopeStreet Women’s Space Services

Dr Lun General Practice, 8 Quay Street Haymarket

Sydney Central Medical Center, Level 3 Suite 306 451 Pitt St Haymarket

Worldciti Medical, Level 1, 710 George St Haymarket

Haymarket Medical Clinic, World Square, Level 5 Suite 53 650 George Street Sydney

Aboriginal Legal Service

For urgent legal help (NSW/ACT):

Call 1800 765 767 for criminal law, police charges, or other general legal matters.

Call 1800 733 233 for care and protection or family law matters.

For non-urgent matters:

Visit the website of the relevant service in your state (such as Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited) and look for a “contact” or “message” form to send an online query.

Find and visit the nearest office in person.

Information and Privacy Commission NSW

Calls from within Australia: 1300 363 992 Monday to Thursday 10 am to 4 pm (AEST/AEDT)

Calls from outside Australia: +61 2 9942 4099

Website: oaic.gov.au

Further contact information: https://www.oaic.gov.au/contact-us

Commonwealth Ombudsman

Call: 1300 362 072

Phone service is available during the following hours (AEDT):

Monday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Website: ombudsman.gov.au

Further contact information: ombudsman.gov.au/contact-us

Enrolment Deferment,
Suspension, and Cancellation

Group Colleges Australia (GCA) recognises that students may need to defer their studies for various reasons and aims to provide flexible options while maintaining academic standards and regulatory compliance. For further information, please see the Course Deferral Policy.

The suspension or expulsion of a student from a course of study or the institution represents the most serious disciplinary action available to GCA and requires careful consideration of evidence, circumstances, and potential consequences. Please view our Suspension and Expulsion Policy for further information.

Unit Re-Enrolment

GCA recognises that students may face challenges in meeting academic expectations during their studies and supports opportunities for re-engagement through structured re-enrolment. This policy ensures that re-enrolment is managed consistently and fairly, with clear limits, academic support measures, and a commitment to maintaining academic integrity and course progression standards. Please see our Unit Re-Enrolment Policy for further information.

Important Information for Students:
Updates to Our Operations
and Fees

At Group Colleges Australia (GCA), we are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience and clear communication with our students. We understand that your education is a significant investment, and we strive to ensure you have all the necessary information to make informed decisions about your studies.

GCA charges a range of fees, including tuition fees, application fees and administrative fees, as outlined in the schedule of fees found here. Fees are updated annually with any increase in tuition fees to not exceed 10% per annum as outlined in the Fees & Refund Policy.

We will communicate important updates through various channels to ensure you receive timely notification. These may include:

Official Website Announcements: Key changes will be prominently displayed on our website.
Direct Email Communication: We will send notifications to your registered student email address. Please ensure your contact details are always up-to-date.
Student Handbook and Policy Updates: Our official documents, including the Student Handbook and the Fees and Refund Policy, will be updated to reflect any changes.

Support Services

Visit the following sites for more information:

Study NSW
Study Melbourne
Study Adelaide
Study Australia