Our thoughts continue to be with our students who have been affected by the NSW and Queensland Floods. We understand that you’re in a challenging position and may not get to this immediately. We are committed to supporting all students who have been impacted to minimise any negative impact on your study. We’re here to help and simply need you to let us know when it is safe and practicable to do so.
Today, we have an update on the status of our Campuses and Study Centres. We also have helpful information on how to apply for a deferral or intermission if you’re in a situation of direct flood impact preventing you from continuing your studies for Trimester 1.
EXTENSIONS
If you need an extension, please get in contact with your Unit Coordinators directly by email as soon as you can to inform them of your situation.
DEFERRALS & INTERMISSIONS
Census Date was this week on Monday 22 March, currently, if you withdraw now there is a financial penalty, if the NSW or QLD floods have directly delayed you being able to complete this on time, please contact Student Success as soon as you can on 02 6773 2000 or via AskUNE.
Continuing students please go to http://study.une.edu.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/716/related/1#loaded to apply for a Leave of Absence/Intermission from Trimester 1 and/or 2.
New students please go to http://study.une.edu.au/app/answers/detail/a_id/1064/~/deferring-your-studies#loaded to apply to defer your course to another Trimester.
UNE SUPPORT
Urgent Help (After Hours Crisis Support)
If you are seeking counselling for an urgent matter outside of normal office hours, the UNE After Hours Crisis Support Line is available weekdays 4.00pm to 9.00am AEST, weekends and public holidays
Phone: 1300 661 927
Text: 0488 884 169
Information for Disaster Affected Students
More detailed information on support for disaster affected students is viewable on our website.
Counselling
UNE offers a free and confidential Counselling service from 9.00am to 4.00pm. You can arrange an appointment by phoning 02 6773 2897.
Student Support
Please don’t hesitate to speak with a Student Advisor on 02 6773 2000 if you’re unsure where to look or to see if there is any way we can help.
Emergency Assistance Funds
The University has made funds available for quick-response grants for UNE students experiencing financial hardship impacting their ability to continue their academic studies. This includes students directly affected by natural disasters.
If you would like to know if you are eligible, please contact the UNE Life Advocacy & Welfare team at https://www.unelife.com.au/advocacy/
GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a lump sum payment to help you if a declared disaster significantly affects you.
It’s not for minor damage or inconvenience. If you lost income as a direct result of the floods, you may also be eligible.
LOCAL SUPPORT
NSW
Emergency Help
If you are experiencing direct impact of flood waters please contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500, or call 000 for help in a life-threatening emergency. More information is available at https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/disaster-tabs-header/flood/.
Food and Disaster Relief
The NSW Government is making resupply assistance to affected communities today.
St John Ambulance has been assisting in communities affected.
Local Charities such as Rapid Relief Team are active in some communities currently affected by immediate flood impacts with both sandbags and food https://rrtglobal.org/
QLD
Emergency Help
If you are experiencing direct impact of flood waters please contact the State Emergency Service on 132 500, or call 000 for help in a life-threatening emergency. More information is available at https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx.
You can also contact Queensland Fire and Emergency Services on 13 74 68.
CURRENT STATUS OF CAMPUS LOCATIONS:
- UNE ARMIDALE – OPEN
- UNE SYDNEY – OPEN
- UNE TAREE – OPEN
- UNE TAMWORTH – OPEN
- UNE Regional Study Centres – OPEN
- CUC Macleay Valley Kempsey – CLOSED
- CUC Clarence Valley – OPEN
- CUC North West Moree – OPEN (Travel to centre not recommended currently)
- CUC Parkes – OPEN
- CUC Goulburn – OPEN
- CUC Snowy Monaro – OPEN
- CUC Far West – OPEN
- CUC Riverina – OPEN
We ask all students to please use caution travelling to any of the UNE campus and UNE or CUC study centre locations in the current conditions, essential travel only is currently recommended in affected areas. The current Visit NSW Advice warns that “some roads may be closed – visit the Live Traffic website before starting your journey. You can also check the Transport NSW website for any changes to public transport. Remember that it is never safe to drive, ride or walk through flood waters”.
In New South Wales, Evacuation Orders and Flood Warnings are still active for a number of affected suburbs within the Hawkesbury, Nepean, Macarthur, Taree, Moree and Kempsey areas while some suburbs in the Blue Mountains have been isolated by land slips and road damage.
In Queensland, Flood Warnings have been issued for a number of suburbs surrounding rivers and basins by the Bureau of Meteorology.
Many water channels currently still flooded are not necessarily expected to receed today despite the improving weather conditions. We ask students to be mindful of this in the coming days.
