For urgent support
If it is an emergency, please call 000 (Australia only).
If you are experiencing distress and need to urgently speak with someone, please contact:
- CDU Wellbeing Support Line 1300 933 393 and SMS 0488 884 144
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Mental Health Crisis Line 1800 011 511
- Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224 636
- or attend your local hospital emergency department.
If you are on campus and there is an emergency, call 000, then alert University Security on 1800 646 501 or through SafeZone app.
If you are not in Australia, please contact your emergency service, mental health practitioner, doctor, or support organisation in the country where you are currently residing.
CDU Wellbeing Support Line
The CDU Wellbeing Support Line is available 24 hours if you need to speak with someone urgently.
Ph: 1300 933 393
SMS: 0488884144
Supporting someone in distress
CDU has an Emotional Distress Protocol to guide anyone providing immediate support to someone in distress.
Attending counselling
The counselling team provides short-term individual counselling for CDU students.
Counselling is free and confidential if you are experiencing personal, family, mental health, or wellbeing concerns that are affecting your studies. Attendance is voluntary.
Counsellors aim to create a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your concerns and develop strategies that support your wellbeing. They can also help connect you with more intensive or ongoing support services if needed.
Confidentiality and informed consent
Before you can access counselling, you will need to provide written consent. This consent covers the counselling service, confidentiality, and privacy.
In most situations, what you discuss with your counsellor will remain confidential. However, if there are concerns about your safety or the safety of someone else, your counsellor may need to share information to help keep people safe.
Your counsellor is legally required to break confidentiality if they believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or another person, or if there is an immediate threat to the safety of you, others, children, or CDU.
If this happens, your counsellor will explain the situation and discuss any action they need to take whenever it is safe and possible to do so.
Appointments
Important Information: Please Read Before Booking
**PLEASE NOTE: THE COUNSELLING SERVICE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH DEMAND AND THE WAIT TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS MAY BE 2-4 WEEKS. **
If you are feeling distressed, overwhelmed, or require urgent support, we strongly encourage you to contact:
- CDU Wellbeing Support Line: Call 1300 933 393 or SMS 0488 884 144 for immediate and confidential assistance.
If you are looking for support that might be accessible sooner than CDU Counselling, consider the following options:
- International Students (Allianz Policy Holders): Access wellbeing support through the Sonder App.
- Nursing and Midwifery Students: Free counselling services are offered by the Nurse Midwife Health Program. Contact them on 1800 001 060.
- Medicare Mental Health Centres: A welcoming space for anyone to access free and confidential mental health, social and emotional wellbeing support. You don’t need a referral, appointment, or to be an Australian citizen or resident to get support. MedicareMental Health Centres | Medicare Mental Health
Your wellbeing matters and these resources are here to provide support when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is counselling?
Counselling gives you a safe and confidential place to talk about issues that may be affecting your wellbeing, such as study stress, work pressures, relationship challenges, or other personal difficulties. Your counsellor will support you to explore your thoughts and feelings and help you build skills to cope with challenges.
How can I book a counselling appointment?
Please complete the booking form and provide your availability so we can schedule an appointment at a suitable time.
What type of counselling appointments does CDU offer?
You can have an in-person appointment at the Casuarina campus, Danala, or Sydney campus, or attend an appointment by phone or online (via Microsoft Teams). You choose what type of appointment you prefer when you complete the booking form.
How long will a counselling appointment last?
Each appointment will be scheduled for about 45 minutes.
What happens if I can’t attend my counselling appointment?
We ask that you let us know by cancelling or rescheduling as early as possible. You can do this by clicking on the link provided in the email confirming your appointment.
How much does it cost to see a CDU student counsellor?
Enrolled CDU students can see a CDU student counsellor for free.
Can I see a CDU student counsellor if I am not a student?
CDU Student Counsellors are available for current CDU students only. If you are not a current CDU student, you can go to Headspace if you are aged between 12 – 25 years or Medicare Mental Health. If you are an international student and have Allianz Health Insurance you can use the Sonder App.
Will what I discuss with the counsellor be kept confidential?
What you discuss with your counsellor is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else without your consent. However, if your counsellor believes that you or someone else is at risk of serious harm, they may need to share information with the appropriate services to help keep you or others safe.
How often can I attend counselling?
The number and frequency of counselling appointments will be discussed with your counsellor during your first appointment. If an appointment is rescheduled, you will receive a new confirmation email.
How many counselling appointments can I have?
You may attend up to six appointments per year. Some students use all six, while others attend only one or two.
Will I need to bring anything to a counselling appointment?
You do not need to bring anything, although you may like to bring a notepad to help you take notes.
Will a counsellor advise me on what I should do?
The counsellor will listen and help you to find your own solutions in a safe and supportive environment.
How long will I need to wait for a counselling appointment?
Wait times may vary throughout the semester. To help us book you into the next available appointment, please provide as much availability as possible when completing your booking.
Are counselling appointments available between semesters?
CDU Counselling is available both during and outside of semester. The Counselling Service will only close during the CDU Christmas shut-down period, during which the CDU Wellbeing hotline will still be available.
Does CDU offer out-of-hours counselling appointments?
CDU counselling appointments are available during CDU business hours only. If you need to speak with someone urgently or outside business hours, please contact the CDU Wellbeing Support Line on 1300 933 393 or SMS 0488 884 144. The CDU Wellbeing Support Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Can a CDU counsellor provide me with attendance documentation to support my special consideration/ extension request?
This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. In many circumstances, external evidence is preferred.
Counselling locations and enquiries
Casuarina campus
Student Support Services, Red 1.2
Mon–Thurs: 8:30am–4pm (ACST)
Fri: 8:30am–3pm (ACST)
Sydney campus
Level 8, 815 George Street, Haymarket
Monday – Fridays: 8:30am–4pm (AEST/AEDT)
Online
Online or telephone
Mon–Fri: 8:30am–4pm (ACST)
Booking appointments
Important Information: Please Read Before Booking
**PLEASE NOTE: THE COUNSELLING SERVICE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HIGH DEMAND AND THE WAIT TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS MAY BE 2-4 WEEKS. **
If you are feeling distressed, overwhelmed, or require urgent support, we strongly encourage you to contact:
- CDU Wellbeing Support Line: Call 1300 933 393 or SMS 0488 884 144 for immediate and confidential assistance.
If you are looking for support that might be accessible sooner than CDU Counselling, consider the following options:
- International Students (Allianz Policy Holders): Access wellbeing support through the Sonder App.
- Nursing and Midwifery Students: Free counselling services are offered by the Nurse Midwife Health Program. Contact them on 1800 001 060.
Your wellbeing matters and these resources are here to provide support when you need it.
Request a counselling appointment.
If emailing about other enquiries, please provide:
- your name
- student number
- contact phone number
We aim to respond to your email within 2 business days.
Email: counselling@cdu.edu.au
Disclosing Gender Based Violence
At CDU, we are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all staff and students. If you or someone you know has experienced gender-based violence (GBV) or have concerns for your safety, we encourage you to report it and seek support. CDU Safer Communities provides free and confidential support for CDU students who have experienced harm or violence. Please remember, you are not alone and support is available.
Support options
Safer Communities provides a range of support to CDU students who have been impacted by gender-based violence. The support available is tailored to each student’s individual needs. You can learn more about Safer Communities and the support available on the Safer Communities webpage.
Make a report
You can lodge a disclosure, make a formal report, or report anonymously.
Who attends counselling?
People attend counselling for all kinds of reasons.
These could relate to emotional distress, mental health challenges, family and relationships, distressing or traumatic life events, stressor, stress responses and coping strategies.
People also attend counselling to grow their wellbeing strategies, maintain their wellbeing, or draw on them when faced with challenges.
Staying well
There are many things that cause stress in our daily lives, such as study, finances, work and family.
We have put together ideas and resources to help you to keep your wellbeing in check throughout study and life.
Learn more