Student Assist

COVID-19 Update from the University:

Dear students,

The University has been working rapidly to finalise an assistance package for students coping with the changes that are the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including financial hardship.

I wish to reassure you that Murdoch’s highest priority during this uncertain period is safeguarding your physical and mental health and wellbeing, while also maintaining your access to high-quality learning and teaching, ensuring that no student is disadvantaged at this time.

We recognise the current situation is especially challenging for our international onshore students. To assist you to continue with your studies, the University has developed a Student Support Package containing the following measures:

  • Access to a $2 million Student Assistance Fund for students severely affected by COVID-19 but ineligible for Commonwealth Government support.
  • University support for a Guild Food Bank.
  • An Essentials Bursary worth $25 per week to reduce food bills for international students.
  • A Technology Bursary for all students equivalent to a $100 data pack to support online learning.
  • A limited supply of laptops for those without access to IT equipment.
  • No parking fees for the duration of online teaching.
  • The University has also put in place an Academic Safety Net, which recognises the considerable disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We understand that adjustment to studying online can take some time. Murdoch will support all of our students to achieve the best possible result for your subjects. Therefore, if you happen to fail a unit in Semester 1, it will not be recorded on your transcript or negatively affect your Grade Point Average. This decision in no way changes Murdoch’s high academic standards but safeguards you against the impact of current situation on the continuity of your learning and allows you to focus on making your best effort in your study.

Remember that all of the University’s support services that you would normally access on campus are still available online.

More details on how you can access the Murdoch Student Support Package will be made available next week. If you need urgent assistance in the meantime, please contact Student Assist in the Guild or myMurdoch Advice (phone 1300 687 3624 or email advice@murdoch.edu.au).

Tips from Student Assist (02 April 2020):

If you need rental assistance or assistance with bills and utilities, please try calling up the real estate agent or utilities company and discussing your circumstances with them. In most cases they will be willing to freeze payments, or at least offer a payment plan.

We are in discussions with the University about how we are able to support students through this difficult situation. However, we ask for your patience while we iron out the details with them.

In the meantime, another resource you can access for the moment is ER Connect: https://erconnect.org.au/

Contact Us

For domestic undergraduate & honours students

Hazel Email: H.Mangazva@murdochguild.com.au Ph: 9360 7350

For international undergraduates & honours students

Roland Email: internationalassist@murdochguild.com.au Ph: 9360 6419

For international & domestic postgraduate students

Mark Email: postgradassist@murdochguild.com.au Ph: 9360 6585

Alternatively fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

**Please note that the opening hours for Foodbank are 8.30 AM to 4 PM on standard University working days.**